Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks Keep Game 1 Close?

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks Keep Game 1 Close?

Celtics vs. Bucks Game 1 Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

When: 1:00 pm ET

Where to Watch: ABC

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Celtics vs. Bucks Game 1 Line Movement

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction

The Boston Celtics will play host to the Milwaukee Bucks for game one of the second round. These two teams are good enough to win an NBA championship that is not up for debate, but the issue the Buck's face is the absence of their all-star guard Khris Middleton. Middleton will be out for this series which is a huge blow for this Bucks team. Grayson Allen will lowkey get the nod to be the starter against this the Celtics. This means that we will see more of Giannis on the offensive end. Giannis exploded for thirty-three points in the last game against the Bulls in the absence of Middleton.

The Celtics were the only team to compete in round one with a sweep. They may have been the team most unlikely to do so facing the high-profiled Brooklyn Nets, but they were able to sneak past and get the wins. Jayson Tatum led the charge in the series, but his supporting cast was outstanding, including veteran big Al Horford. The Celtics were able to fend off any big runs in the series from the Nets and showed their come-from-behind ability in games one and two. They actually struggled more at home in the series than they did on the road. They know that the Bucks will not be a team they are able to sweep despite no Middleton. This is a Bucks team who just won a championship and they are more than capable of going to get another. 

I am backing the defending champs with the points here on Sunday. Listen I love the things the Celtics are doing but getting the Bucks with five points is outrageous in my opinion. Giannis is still Giannis and this team still has a supporting cast that just won an NBA title. I think Allen and Matthews are guys who can still put up numbers on the offensive end in the absence of Middleton. Their defense will take a hit without Middleton, but I still think they have guys who can step up and get stops. This line is a steal to me and may be the last time you can catch the Bucks getting five points. 

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Game 1 Pick

• Bucks +5 (-112) (Bet $112 to Win $100)