NBA Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 12-21-2018, 20:00 EDT

Spread: Boston Celtics -0.5

Total: +224.5

The second and fifth best teams of the East are clashing in this high caliber duel, when the Milwaukee Bucks, looking to extend their current winning streak, are visiting the Boston Celtics, who on the other hand want to end a losing streak of their own and return to the winning ways.

Bucks are 21-9 so far in the league and are sitting on the 2^nd place of the Eastern Conference. They are 5-1 in their last 6 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against New Orleans at home, 123-115. Celtics are 18-12 so far in the league and are sitting in the fifth place of the Eastern Conference. They have lost their last two games and in their latest matchup they got defeated by Phoenix at home, 103-111.

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Milwaukee are led in scoring by Giannis Antetokounmpo with 26.7 ppg. He also leads the team both in assists with 6.1 and in rebounding with 12.9 per game, while Kris Middleton follows with 17.4 ppg, adding 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Eric Bledsoe adds 16 ppg, 4.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Boston are led in scoring by Kyrie Irving with 22.9 ppg. He also adds 4.8 rebounds and leads the team in assists made with 6.4 per game, while Jayson Tatum follows with 16.7 ppg and leading the team in rebounding with 6.5 per game. Marcus Morris adds 14.9 ppg and 6.2 rebounds off the bench.

In their latest matchup earlier this year Milwaukee were victorious at home by 4 points. Boston are 9-4 at home so far, while Milwaukee are 7-6 on the road. Milwaukee have the best offense in the league with 117.8 ppg to Boston’s 111.2, while Boston have a better defense, allowing 104.3 ppg to Milwaukee’s 109 ppg. Milwaukee have a better accuracy from the field, shooting with 47.6% to Boston’s 45.3%, while Boston have a better accuracy from behind the arc, shooting with 36.3% to Milwaukee’s 35.2%. Milwaukee dish more assists (26.5 to 25.2) and grab more rebounds per game (49.8 to 46.1), while Boston commit fewer turnovers (13.2 to 14.3). Milwaukee have been playing better lately and they will get away with the road win today one way or another.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks +0.5 (-110)