Bucks are Similar-Sized Underdogs for Game 2
The Milwaukee Bucks entered the TD Garden in Game 1 and casually bullied the Boston Celtics en route to an upset. We did not foresee the Bucks making the statement, however, the NBA odds have not changed for Game 2 as Milwaukee returns to Boston as underdogs. What could Boston possibly do to change the result this time?
Let’s check the latest NBA betting stats, injury reports, and NBA odds for Bucks vs Celtics. We’ve plenty of NBA lines for you to consider.
The Bucks Pushed the Celtics Around
For lack of a better term, the Milwaukee Bucks won Game 1 via good ol’ “Bully Ball”. The defending NBA Champions were just too big and too physical for the Boston Celtics as they held Boston to just 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
More impressively, Milwaukee shut down Boston from inside the arc. The Celtics, made more threes (18) than it had two-point field goals (10). Jayson Tatum and co. could not get anything past Giannis Antetotokounmpo and Brook Lopez who combined for five blocks and forced Boston to rely too much on their three.
The Bucks also dominated the glass grabbing 53 percent of available rebounds. Antetokounmpo did everything, as he posted his second career playoff triple-double despite shooting just 36 percent from the field. If Milwaukee can win despite an “off game” from Antetokounmpo, they are worth every bet online.
MILWAUKEE TAKES GAME 1 👀
A triple-double from Giannis (24 PTS, 13 REB, 12 AST) & 25 PTS from Jrue Holiday gets the Bucks out to an early series lead! pic.twitter.com/EwVDCIZSod
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2022
Celtics Need to Push Back, Literally
The Boston Celtics came crashing down to Earth as they found themselves outmuscled by the visiting Bucks. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined to shoot just 10-of-31 from the field while turning the ball over ten times. On the plus side, they shot 7-of-18 from three-point land.
The duo will have to readjust to the Bucks’ different brand of basketball. Brooklyn was more of a finesse team and not as physical, especially on defense. Boston’s star player is hopeful and supported his fellow struggling star, Brown.
Teams that lose Game 1 only go on to win 21.8 percent of the time, which is just better than a one-in-five chance for Boston. Still, Boston went 20-11 (18-13 against the spread (ATS)) after a loss this season though they will have to do this against the NBA champs and with injuries to Marcus Smart and Robert Williams.
Bucks vs Celtics Head-to-Head
With the win on Sunday, the Milwaukee Bucks moved to 3-0 versus the Boston Celtics in their last three meetings. The win also snapped the Bucks’ seven-game losing skid on the spread versus Boston. Eight of these teams’ last ten games have now gone over the total.
Bucks vs Celtics Game Information
- Game: Bucks (56-32) vs Celtics (55-32)
- Location: TD Garden
- Day/Time: Tuesday, May 3, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Bucks vs Celtics Live stream: NBA Game Pass
Take a Look at The Other 2 Picks For The Celtics vs Bucks Series
Bucks vs Celtics Betting Lines
Bucks vs Celtics Prediction
We can expect a bit more desperation out of the Boston Celtics here. Teams who go down 2-0 in the semifinals lose the series 94.6 percent of the time, however, we can’t trust Boston to win at their current online gambling line. Milwaukee has some value as a +165 underdog though we think Boston can make more than 10 two-point field goals.
What we like is for this game to go under, despite recent betting trends between these teams. All six of Milwaukee’s playoff games have gone under as well as 58.1 percent (13-18-0) of Boston’s games following a loss. Defenses will continue to stay tight and scoring will be at a premium.
