Milwaukee will try to strengthen its lead over Boston when the teams meet for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday night. The Bucks took a 2-1 lead with a 103-101 win in Game 3 on Saturday. The Celtics have a chance to tie the 2022 NBA playoffs series before hosting Game 5 on Wednesday night. Bucks forward Khris Middleton remains out with a knee injury.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Bucks are listed as one-point favorites in the latest Bucks vs. Celtics odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with the over-under set at 213.5. Before you make any Celtics vs. Bucks picks and NBA predictions, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the fourth full week of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 86-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning over $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Celtics, and just locked in its NBA playoff picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Celtics vs. Bucks:
- Celtics vs. Bucks spread: Bucks -1
- Celtics vs. Bucks over-under: 213.5 points
- Celtics vs. Bucks money line: Bucks -115, Celtics -105
- BOS: The Celtics are 5-2 against the spread in playoff games
- MIL: The Bucks are 4-4 against the spread in playoff games
Why the Celtics can cover
The Celtics have notable strengths on both ends of the floor, including the league's best defense. Boston led the NBA in defensive efficiency during the regular season, giving up only 1.06 points per possession and holding opponents to 43.4 percent shooting. The Celtics led the league in 3-point defense, 2-point defense and assists allowed per game, with top-five marks in blocked shots and points allowed in the paint.
In the NBA playoffs 2022, Boston is holding opponents to only 21.0 assists per game, while forcing 14.9 turnovers per game, and the Bucks are averaging only 19.3 assists per game against the Celtics. Boston is also allowing only 27.9 percent from 3-point range to Milwaukee, and the Celtics are having offensive success as well. The Celtics are averaging 25.0 assists per game in the playoffs and also securing nearly 30 percent of missed shots on the offensive glass. Boston is also making great use of the free throw line, making 81.9 percent of 22.9 free throw attempts per contest.
Why the Bucks can cover
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been too much for Boston to handle so far this series. He led all scorers with 42 points on Saturday, adding 12 rebounds in a double-double performance. The Bucks may be without Middleton (MCL), but Antetokounmpo has still been the difference.
Jrue Holiday poured in 25 points, while Brook Lopez had a double-double of his own in Game 3. Milwaukee also got George Hill back from an abdominal injury and he should play an increased role on Monday. The Bucks have now covered the spread in four of their last six games and should take control of this series.
How to make Bucks vs. Celtics picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting 219 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model's Celtics vs. Bucks pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Celtics? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bucks vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
