Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview

Date & Time: Thursday, February 25, 7:30 PM

Venue: TD Garden (Boston)

Head to head record

Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics 112-111 (2015/2016 NBA)
Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics 83-99 (2015/2016 NBA)
Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics 100-105 (2014/2015 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks 101-110 (2014/2015 NBA)
Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics 96-93 (2014/2015 NBA)

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks prediction

Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to build on back-to-back wins over the likes of Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks when they take on Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Celtics suffered a 124-122 loss to Minnesota on Monday and they certainly will want to return to winning ways.

Eight consecutive wins at home

Boston Celtics are on the right track to book their place in the NBA play-offs. Brad Stevens’ men occupy fourth place in the Eastern conference standings, but they head into Thursday’s game against Milwaukee Bucks following a 124-122 loss to Minnesota Timberwolves. Celtics produced a poor display in the first half of the game and they eventually failed to battle back. Joe Crowder scored 27 points in the defeat to Timberwolves and you should have in mind that Marcus Smart missed a potential match-winning three-pointer with 5.4 seconds to play. Boston are desperate to start a new winning run in the NBA and, with Milwaukee Bucks next, they are definitely capable of extending their winning streak at home to nine matches. Celtics have been impressive at their TD Garden of late and it is no surprise they are regarded as favourites to win Thursday’s game.

Coach Brad Stevens has no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Milwaukee Bucks. A man to watch in the home team will be All-Star player Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging 21.6 points this season.

Good form

Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd saw his men slip to a 98-95 loss to Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, but they quickly bounced back from the defeat. Bucks did well to upset star-studded Atlanta Hawks on the road and, as expected, they outplayed Los Angeles Lakers in front of home fans on Monday. The win over Kobe Bryant and Co. helped the team keep their hopes of making it to the play-offs alive, but Milwaukee will have to be at their sharpest in the remainder of the season if they are to meet the goal. Bucks sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference ahead of the trip to Boston, meaning that this has to go down as a must-win game for the visitors. Greece international Antetokounmpo led Bucks to the triumph over Lakers with 27 points and he is likely to pose a big threat for Celtics on Thursday evening. You should know that Milwaukee recorded a 110-101 win over Boston in their last meeting at TD Garden.

The likes of Bayless and Henson both miss the match against Lakers with injury, while Tyler Ennis did not enter the court (coach decision). The injured duo is unlikely to recover in time to face Celtics.

Interesting Facts

• Boston are eyeing their ninth consecutive win at home
• Celtics scored 102+ points in each of their previous eight home matches
• Milwaukee top scorer Krhis Middleton is averaging 17.8 points this season
• Bucks recorded only one win in last seven away games
• Milwaukee recorded a 112-111 win over Boston in their last meeting in NBA

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks betting pick

Milwaukee Bucks face yet another must-win situation on Thursday night. Jason Kidd’s men will take the game very seriously, but given Boston’s impressive home record, I am not tempted to put my money on the away team this time out. Celtics aim to make amends for the unlucky loss to Minnesota and, taking everything into account, home win should be considered.

Pick: Boston -8

Odds: -110