By Offense meets defense when the Milwaukee Bucks (36-6) welcome the Boston Celtics (27-12) to Fiserv Forum. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 16, 2020.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction
In the Celtics’ last contest, they were 9.5-point favorites and were defeated by the Detroit Pistons, 116-103. The game’s total points (219) finished over the O/U total of 214. Detroit’s 11.3 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Boston, who had a mark of 14.0. The Pistons’ mark was better than their season average of 13.6. Boston’s Jaylen Brown had a good outing, recording 24 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bucks dismantled the New York Knicks in their last game, 128-102, comfortably covering as 16.5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (230) finished just under the projected point total of 231. Milwaukee’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over New York. The Bucks had a rate of 0.571 (above their season average of 0.554), while the Knicks posted a mark of 0.407 (below their season average of 0.494). With 14 points and seven rebounds, Ersan Ilyasova had a solid game for Milwaukee.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Bucks lost 116-105, unable to cover as 3-point favorites. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 221 points, which was just 3.5 points below the projected point total of 224.5 points. The Celtics’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Bucks. Boston had a rate of 8.2, while Milwaukee posted a mark of 13.9.
Boston holds records of 27-12 straight up (SU) and 22-15-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Celtics’ 38 games with betting action, 21 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee owns records of 36-6 SU and 24-18 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Bucks games, with an even split between overs and unders.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Milwaukee takes on the top-notch defense of Boston. The Bucks rank second in offensive efficiency, while the Celtics are fourth in defensive efficiency.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Free Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Boston is 11-7-1 ATS on the road with 12 unders and 7 overs.
Milwaukee is 12-9 ATS at home with 11 unders and 10 overs.
In contests where they allow under 100 points, Milwaukee is 9-0 and Boston is 9-2.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Celtics are 26-6 and the Bucks are 36-6.
Milwaukee averages 6.4 blocks per game, which ranks third in the league. Boston ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
The Celtics rank 14th in three pointers attempted per game (33.5) while the Bucks rank last in three pointers allowed per game (38.3).
Milwaukee averages 18.9 fast break points per game, which ranks first in the league. Boston ranks 15th in fast break points allowed per game (12.8).
The Bucks rank first in rebounds per game (51.8) while the Celtics rank 13th (45.9).
Milwaukee ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while Boston ranks 10th (12.6).
The Celtics rank third in steals allowed per game (6.8) while the Bucks rank 10th (7.1).
Milwaukee ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.2) while Boston ranks ninth (48.9).
The Celtics rank fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.8) while the Bucks rank eighth (15.5).
Over its last five outings, Boston is 2-3 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.6, down from 6.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 117.6 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.6 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
