Bucks vs. Celtics Prediction, Pick: Can Jayson Tatum, Celtics Take Down Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks?

Bucks vs. Celtics Prediction, Pick: Can Jayson Tatum, Celtics Take Down Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks?

Coming into the NBA season, most people would have told you that the Bucks and Celtics are two fo the best teams in the Eastern Conference. However, as you'll see with my Bucks vs. Celtics prediction for tonight, only one side has lived up to the hype so far.

Sure, we're only three games into an 82-game season, but losses to the Nets and Bulls and a win over a severely injured Sixers team aren't a convincing start for the Bucks. So, it makes a little bit of sense to see the Celtics as massive favorites.

The Celtics come into Monday's game with a 3-0 record. Their six-point win over the Pistons on Saturday was their closest game of the year. They beat the Knicks on opening night, 132-109, and defeated the Wizards by 20 points in their second game of the season.

So, how should you bet on Bucks vs. Celtics on Monday night? Before you make your NBA picks for this slate, let's take a look at this one.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Odds

The latest Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics odds are a bit eye-opening. On the surface, these are two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, led by superstars. However, the odds claim that the Celtics are in a different league than the Bucks as they come in as 9.5-point favorites.

After yesterday's loss to the Nets, superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo said his team lacked an identity, and he may be right. They are off to a 1-2 start to the season, and facing the defending world champions doesn't get any easier.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Date, Time and Where to Watch

• Date: October 28, 2024
• Time: 7:30 pm ET
• Where to Watch: NBA TV

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Prediction

I know that 9.5 points is a lot to be giving for a matchup between these two sides, but I'm willing to lay the points when considering how poorly the Bucks are playing and how great the Celtics have looked through three games.

First of all, tonight's game is in Boston and the second game of a road back-to-back for Milwaukee. The Bucks looked terrible last night, getting outscored by eight in the fourth quarter on their way to a 13-point loss in Brooklyn.

So far, the absence of Kris Middleton has left a hole in the lineup and it doesn't seem like the Bucks have had the depth to fill it.

Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo have gotten theirs on the offensive end, but it's been a struggle defensively for the whole squad. I'm not sure how Doc Rivers keeps getting jobs, but this team looks a lot like his Sixers team did before he departed.

As for Boston, the reigning NBA Champions have picked up right where they left off. Jayson Tatum is off to a red-hot start, averaging 33 points per game while grabbing 6.3 rebounds and dishing out six assists.

Between Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the Celtics have a backcourt that is extremely difficult to match up with. This Celtics team is yet to score fewer than 122 points in a game this season and I think they keep up the fast-paced efficient offense against a Bucks team on the back end of a back-to-back.

I thought about making a play on the total, but the chance that Boston blows out the Bucks is too great for me to feel comfortable betting it at 232.5. So, I'm riding with the Celtics on the spread tonight.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Pick

• PICK: Boston Celtics -9.5 (-105) Click here for complete Bucks vs. Celtics odds

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