The first-round series between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks has lived up to the hype, as each team has taken care of business on its home court in the first five games. The Bucks need to keep that trend going as their backs are against the wall heading into Game 6.
The Celtics can close out this first round matchup with a win, but they will be the underdogs as the series shifts back to Milwaukee. This series has been ultra competitive and it would not be surprise to see it go seven games.
The Bucks hope to see that happen and they will need to come with it in Game 6. Keep a close eye on the spread as it only figures to favor Milwaukee by a handful of points in NBA basketball wagering.
Game 6 of this NBA Playoff Series is on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The contest will be nationally televised on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Odds Analysis
The Bucks head into Game 6 listed as the five-point favorites. The betting public believes this game is read well by the oddsmakers as about half of the money is on each team to cover.
The scoring total is listed at 200 points. Four of the first five games have surpassed that point total, and the “over” may be the more common choice based on that recent history.
Milwaukee is listed as a -210 favorite to win this game and push the series to a decisive seventh game. The Celtics are +176 underdogs, which isn’t a huge total, as they aim to pull off the upset and move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Last Time Out
The Celtics lost their 2-0 lead by dropping a pair in Milwaukee but bounced back with another home win on Tuesday. Al Horford led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds as Boston came away with a hard-fought 92-87 victory. The Bucks trailed by 11 points heading into the fourth quarter but did make a run to put a scare into the Celtics.
Boston’s defense was solid as Milwaukee was held to 37 percent shooting in the contest. The Celtics used good balance, something they have relied on ever since star point guard Kyrie Irving was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a solid all-around game for the Bucks, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks. While he almost had a triple-double, the standard is so high for the Greek Freak that it was actually a disappointing game because he didn’t score as many points as needed in this one. He will aim to get back into the high 20s or 30s in Game 6.
Injury Report
The Celtics welcomed back point guard Marcus Smart for this game. He had been out of the lineup since mid-March because of a thumb injury. Boston’s depth has been tested as Smart and Irving were a pair of the team’s top guards, while Gordon Hayward has been out for all but one game of the season after being a prized free agent in the offseason.
While Irving and Hayward aren’t going to play again this year, Smart’s return is a boost for the Celtics. He had nine points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks off the bench, while playing his trademark tough defense.
Smart is a nice piece to get back into the fold and could have an impact on Game 6.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Celtics will threaten to win this one, but in the end Milwaukee should make enough big plays to force a Game 7. It seems only natural as these two teams have gone blow-for-blow the past five games and this series deserves to go the distance.
Look for Antetokounmpo to have a better scoring night to lead his team to the victory. It should come down to the final minute, so take the Celtics to cover the spread in NBA basketball wagering.
NBA ATS Pick: Bucks 103, Celtics 99
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