The Milwaukee Bucks continue to run away with the Eastern Conference right now, leading the standings with a 36-6 record. Their road record is particularly impressive as they have gone 17-4 away from Fiserv Forum. They have won four in a row and nine of ten, pushing them to a seven-game lead over their closest competition in the conference, the Miami Heat. Right behind the Heat are the Boston Celtics, 7 ½ games behind the Bucks. However, the Celtics have cooled off, dropping five of their last ten, with a record of 27-12. This Friday, the Celtics head to the Midwest to try and make up some ground in the standings. Can Boston pick up a much-needed road win? Or will the Bucks continue the Celtics’ recent inconsistency? We have your sports betting preview of this matchup of NBA contenders right here.
Celtics vs Bucks 2020 NBA Odds, Game Preview & Expert Pick
Our guys are using tonight’s frustrating loss as motivation as they head to Milwaukee to take on the top team in the league. https://t.co/ZglGvzbWVf
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 16, 2020
- When: Friday, January 17, 2020, 8:00 pm ET
- Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
- TV: No National Broadcast
- Radio: WBZ 98.5 FM Boston / WTMJ 620 AM Milwaukee
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Milwaukee -8.5 / O/U 223.5
Why should you bet on Boston?
Boston heads to Milwaukee having beaten the Chicago Bulls, 113-101. The Bulls are not in the same echelon of the standings as the Bucks, but the win was impressive nonetheless. Jayson Tatum went 7 for 17, draining five three throws, and led the team with 21 points. Boston shot 47 percent from the floor as a team and knocked down nine shots from distance, making 39 percent of their three-pointers. It helped that Boston ran out to a 14-point lead after the first quarter, a lead that the Bulls would not dent significantly.
Boston has covered in 22 of 38 games so far this season; however, the differential between their home and road records is significant. They have gone just 11-8 away from TD Garden. Also, Boston has a game on Wednesday night in Detroit, making this game a back-to-back. Tatum is listed as “out” for that game against the Pistons. He could return against the Bucks, but it’s hard to see the Celtics showing up with enough energy.
Why should you put your money on Milwaukee?
Milwaukee took the New York Knicks to the woodshed in their last game, rolling to a 128-102 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to add to his MVP resume, putting up 37 points, nine boards and four assists. He shot 12 for 17 from the floor and made 10 free throws. The Bucks’ defense limited the Knicks to 35% shooting while shooting 49% themselves, including 42% from downtown.
The Bucks have covered the spread in 24 of 42 games this season, and we already mentioned that stellar 19-2 record at home. If you like Milwaukee, you see the Bucks taking the game to a Celtics team that will likely have tired legs after that game in Detroit on Wednesday night. You also recognize that the Celtics aren’t playing as well on the road.
Final Score Prediction
Boston has covered in six of their last seven games as the underdog. However, Milwaukee has covered in seven of their last eight games coming after contests in which they scored at least 125 points. They have also covered in four of their last five games coming after a win against the spread. Can the Celtics stay within this point spread? While they should come out with plenty of motivation, I see the Bucks taking advantage of their recent inconsistency and pulling away. I predict a final score of Milwaukee 118, Boston 106.
