Bucks vs. Celtics Game 7 Betting: Will the Bucks’ reign end in Boston?

The Milwaukee Bucks have answered the call when challenged time and again over the last year, and they have a championship to show for it. And if they want to keep their repeat hopes alive for one more round, they will have to do it again.

To make a Game 7 against the Celtics when they have played the entire series without their second-biggest scoring threat is no small feat.

But a missed opportunity is a missed opportunity, and the Bucks had a major missed opportunity on Friday night. After stunningly snatching Game 5 and a 3-2 lead in Boston on Wednesday night, the Bucks had a chance to clinch at home in Game 6 but were unable to do so.

So, to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four seasons, Milwaukee will have to win at TD Garden for the third time in the series. And barring the apparently unlikely, they will have to do it without Khris Middleton.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics (Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7) Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: #3 Milwaukee Bucks (3-3) vs. #2 Boston Celtics (3-3)
• Venue & Location: TD Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Date: Sunday, May 15, 2022
• Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Bucks vs. Celtics Game 7: ABC

Bucks vs. Celtics Game 7 Odds

Odds are via our top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks.

BetOnline

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks +5 (-110), Boston Celtics -5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 206.5 (-110), UNDER 206.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +180, Boston Celtics -215

Bovada Sportsbook

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks +5 (-110), Boston Celtics -5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 206.5 (-110), UNDER 206.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +180, Boston Celtics -220

BetUS

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks +5 (-109), Boston Celtics -5 (-112)
• Total: OVER 206.5 (-110), UNDER 206.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +170, Boston Celtics -210

No Middleton, No Problem for Milwaukee?

There had been some optimism that Middleton would return at some point in this series after suffering an MCL sprain in Game 2 of Milwaukee’s series against the Chicago Bulls.

However, by all indications, Middleton is unlikely to take the court in Game 7. Now, it is entirely possible that the Bucks could be setting us all up. After all, Joel Embiid was ruled out for Game 3 of the Sixers’ series against the Heat but returned to help Philadelphia beat Miami.

But if Middleton doesn’t play, then the Bucks will have to do it without the second-biggest piece of their championship run last season. Middleton averaged 23.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 5.1 APG in last season’s NBA playoffs and had a number of big baskets and big performances to help bring a title to Milwaukee.

Without him, Giannis Antetokounmpo has had to be even more superhuman, and he has certainly been up to the task. But his sidekicks have been hit or miss, and that continued in Game 6. Giannis put up 44 points, 20 rebounds, and six assists, and he was 14 of 30 from the field, made two of his three from outside, and hit 14 of his 15 free throws.

Everyone else? They were 22 of 58 (37.9 percent) from the field, 5 of 26 (19.2 percent) from three, and attempted three free throws (two makes). Take away a solid night from Pat Connaughton (14 points, 6-8 FG, 2-3 3PT) and things get even uglier.

But the Bucks are the Bucks, and where there’d be good reason to worry about many other teams in their situation, they have shown what they are made of in these moments, with and without Middleton.

Results for the Milwaukee Bucks When Tied or Trailing in the Playoffs – 2021 & 2022 Playoffs

2021 (9-3)

• lost Game 2 at Brooklyn (East semis) after losing Game 1 to the Nets
• won Games 3 and 4 at home to tie series
• lost Game 5 at Brooklyn, won Game 6 in Milwaukee, won Game 7 in Brooklyn
• won Game 2 vs. the Atlanta Hawks (East finals) after losing Game 1, won Game 5 at home after the Hawks tied the series in Game 4
• lost Game 2 at Phoenix (NBA Finals) after losing Game 1
• won Games 3 and 4 at home to tie series, then won Game 5 in Phoenix

2022 (3-0)

• won by 30 in Game 3 at Chicago in the first round after losing Game 2 (and Middleton) at home
• won Game 3 vs. Boston after losing Game 2 by 23, won Game 5 in Boston after losing Game 4

After fumbling away the chance to go up 3-1, the Bucks were up against it in Game 5 in Boston, trailing by 14 with 10 minutes left and by six with under two minutes left, and they pulled out the win.

The Bucks would benefit from Jrue Holiday finally shooting his season (50.1 percent) or career (46.0 percent) shooting percentages, but ultimately, what Bobby Portis does or does not do might tell the tale more than anything.

Over the last two postseasons, Portis has scored in double figures in 16 games. The Bucks have won 14 of those games, losing only Game 1 of last year’s Eastern Conference finals and Game 2 of this series. Also, Portis has had a double-double in six games this postseason, and the Bucks have won all six games.

In Game 6, Portis had ten rebounds, but he was only 2 of 8 from the field and scored only four points. But he has come up big time and again when needed, and if he does again, a favorable outcome is likely. At Bovada Sportsbook, you can back Portis to bag a double-double at +195, which is excellent value.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Game 7 Prediction and Best Bets

Bucks vs. Celtics Game 7 Prediction: Bucks 106, Celtics 101

Bucks vs. Celtics Game 7 Best Bets: Bucks +5 (-109 at BetUS) and OVER 206.5 (-110 at BetUS, Bovada Sportsbook, and BetOnline)

The Celtics have trailed three times in this series, and they have won every time. They dominated in Game 2 after losing Game 1, rallied to win Game 4 in Milwaukee after losing Game 3, and staved off elimination in Game 6 in Milwaukee after losing Game 5 at home.

That is all quite notable, but after seeing what the Bucks have done this year and last year, time and again, there isn’t much reason to doubt what they can do, even if they are on the road and shorthanded. That success carries a lot of weight. Even after losing Game 6, there won’t be any panic or concern in their camp.

Is 107 the magic number for the Bucks? Over the last two postseasons, when they have held opponents to 107 or fewer points, they are 20-0. When they have allowed 108 or more points, they are just 3-11.

If you expand this to Mike Budenholzer’s tenure as coach, the Bucks are just 5-18 in the playoffs when they have allowed 108+ points and 33-3 when they have allowed 107 or fewer points.

Ultimately, the side you have rolled with to this point is likely the side you’re going to roll with here. If you have backed the Celtics the entire way, you’re probably going to in Game 7. And if you have backed the Bucks all series, you’re likely going to back them here.