7:03 pm
May 3

Bucks @ Celtics

Who will WIN this matchup?

Milwaukee Bucks (51-31)

@ Boston Celtics (51-31)

 

Current odds:

Milwaukee Bucks: (+171)

Boston Celtics: (-213)

 

• The line for this game is Celtics by 5 points.

• The Boston Celtics received rave reviews for keeping Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant in check during their Eastern Conference first-round series. Boston was not as fortunate against Giannis Antetokounmpo, who posted his second career playoff triple-double, in Milwaukee’s series-opening victory. The Celtics will look for a better performance against him Tuesday as they try to even their conference semifinal series at one victory apiece in Game 2 in Boston.

• Antetokounmpo collected 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in Milwaukee’s 101-89 win on Sunday afternoon. The two-time NBA MVP provided the signature moment in the fourth quarter after tossing the ball high off the backboard and following it to the rim for an emphatic slam dunk.

• Speaking of hurt, Boston’s Marcus Smart sustained an injury to his right arm late in the first half on Sunday. The newly crowned NBA Defensive Player of the Year returned for the second half, but he is also nursing a troublesome right quad contusion. He will be listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game, Celtics coach Ime Udoka said.

• Now, will Boston stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown be OK after being held in check by Milwaukee’s bigger bodies and active perimeter defense? Tatum (4 of 13) and Brown (6 of 18) combined to make just 10 of 31 shots from the floor in the series opener. The Celtics, as a team, sank 28 of 84 attempts from the floor (33.3 percent) and converted just 10 of 31 attempts in the paint (32.3 percent).

• Boston also will need to keep an eye on Holiday, who bounced back from a 10-point performance in Milwaukee’s series-clinching victory over the Chicago Bulls. Holiday recorded 25 points, nine rebounds and three steals on Sunday.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Boston Celtics
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