Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks April 7 NBA Prediction

The 2021-22 NBA season is set to wrap up in the coming days with each of the 30 teams only having a couple of games remaining on their schedule. There are still several important matchups to play, including a Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks showdown on Thursday.

Both teams are among the best that the Eastern Conference has to offer. The Celtics currently sit second in the East with a 50-30 record, needing to go 2-0 in their final two games to clinch that spot.

Meanwhile, the Bucks are only 0.5 games behind them at 49-30 with three games left. If Milwaukee goes 3-0 and the Heat go 0-2, the Bucks can clinch the Eastern Conference’s top spot and home-court advantage throughout the first three playoff rounds.

Needless to say, Thursday’s Celtics vs. Bucks matchup is one of the most important of the season. Here’s a look at the odds for the contest, as well as what the best betting option is tonight.

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Matchup Info and Betting Odds

Matchup Info

• Game Matchup: Boston Celtics (50-30, 2nd in Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (49-30, 3rd in Eastern Conference)
• Venue & Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT

Celtics vs. Bucks Betting Odds

• Spread: Boston Celtics +5.5 (-110), Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 228.5 (-110), UNDER 228.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boston Celtics +180, Milwaukee Bucks -225

Odds are via BetMGM.

Boston Looking to Extend Win Streak to Four

It’s no secret that the Celtics have been one of the hottest NBA teams in the second half of the season. It looked like they were going to miss the playoffs at one point, but a 27-6 record in their last 33 games has saved the season.

The Celtics enter Thursday’s game against the Bucks as they ride a three-game winning streak. The offense has been the key behind that success as Boston has averaged 129.7 points in its last three outings, which includes an impressive 144-point regulation effort against the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Jaylen Brown has been one of the Celtics’ biggest contributors during their winning streak, averaging 29.7 PPG in that span. He had 25 points, seven rebounds and four steals and assists apiece in the Celtics’ 117-94 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can build off that momentum.

The good news for the Celtics is that they’re 2-1 against the Bucks this season, outscoring them by a combined 352-333 in those meetings.

Jayson Tatum scored 25-plus points in each of those contests, which includes a 42-point effort in Milwaukee on Dec. 13. If the Celtics hope to secure the East’s No. 2 spot, Tatum will likely have to have another major performance.

When it comes to betting, Boston is 3-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last five games, which improves to 8-3 in its last 11. The Celtics are also 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against the Bucks, making them an interesting spread option as the 5.5-point underdog.

Antetokounmpo Expected to Play Through Knee Issue

The Bucks have been one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams throughout the 2021-22 campaign. Although the defending NBA champions have one of the more well-rounded rosters in the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a big reason behind where they are today.

Unfortunately, Antetokounmpo has been dealing with a knee injury lately. He’s listed as being “probable” for tonight’s showdown against the Celtics, but that doesn’t exactly mean he’s 100%.

The ‘Greek Freak’ played through his injury in Milwaukee’s 127-106 victory over Chicago on Tuesday. He ended up only seeing 24 minutes of playing time, resulting in 18 points and nine rebounds while shooting 7-of-13 from the field.

Antetokounmpo has only played two matchups against the Celtics this season. Boston held him to just 20 points in the first meeting (a Milwaukee loss), however, the two-time NBA MVP managed to drop a 36-point, 12-round double-double over the Celtics on Christmas Day.

The Bucks’ offense has also been impressive lately, playing a big role in the total hitting the over in four of Milwaukee’s last five games. The good news for bettors is that the total has also hit the over in each of the last five Celtics vs. Bucks matchups played at Fiserv Forum. With the playoff implications on the line, it wouldn’t be a shock if Thursday’s matchup turned into a shootout as well.

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction and Best Bets

Boston Celtics 120, Milwaukee Bucks 118 (Over 228.5, -110)

Tonight’s Boston vs. Milwaukee game could be a preview of a future playoff matchup. However, in this case, I’m going with the Celtics squeezing out a close win over the Bucks.

With all due respects to Milwaukee, Boston has been playing on another level lately and it’s hard to imagine that momentum stopping so soon. It’s also tough to love the Bucks as much due to Antetokounmpo’s knee issues.

Having said that, taking the total to hit over 228.5 points is the best bet. Both teams’ offenses are clicking right now and the game’s intensity should be heightened due to the Eastern Conference playoff situation.

Add in the fact that the Celtics and Bucks seem to be involved in high-scoring affairs whenever they meet recently and it’s easy to see why taking the over is the right call.