The Milwaukee Bucks have been a trendy pick to pull off a first-round upset in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and they nearly grabbed Game 1. Milwaukee forced overtime but the Celtics played well in the extra session to squeak out a victory and take a 1-0 series lead.
Boston gets another game at home and could take a big step toward taking control of the series with a victory. The Bucks were neck-and-neck with the Celtics on Saturday and one or two more key shots could turn the tide in this Game 2 rematch.
If the Bucks are able to pull out the win they will have to be feeling quite confident in their ability to push the Celtics in this first round matchup. Boston will be a slight favorite in Game 2 in NBA basketball betting.
Game 2 of this NBA Playoff Series is on Tuesday, April 17 2018 at 8 p.m. ET at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Celtics have been listed as three-point favorites in Game 2, one less point than in the first matchup after Milwaukee’s strong performance. The betting public still believes in Boston as the Celtics are getting more than 56 percent of the action to cover the spread.
The scoring total for this game is 197 points, a total that is much lower than most of the other playoff contests. The “under” is the more popular pick.
The Celtics are the -150 favorites on the moneyline, and more than 77 percent of the action is on Boston to win. The Bucks are +130 odds, a small number for a No. 7 seed on the road.
Last Time Out
Behind a double-double from Al Horford, the Celtics defeated the Bucks 113-107 in overtime at home in Game 1. Horford finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
The game stayed tight throughout regulation, with Boston leading by three at halftime. The Bucks’ Khris Middleton hit a long three-point jumper at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
The Celtics came out as the better team in overtime, however, escaping with the win on free throws. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in the loss for the Bucks and Middleton scored 31 points.
The Celtics had five different players with 19 points in the contest and that balance helped lead the Celtics to the win.
Player To Watch
Eric Bledsoe -- The Bucks got huge games from MIddleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 1, as each put up more than 30 points. However, Milwaukee did not have as much balance as Boston, which was a problem.
Bledsoe is one of the team’s best players but only had nine points, four rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes in Game 1. He shot just 4-of-12 from the field and missed both of his three-point attempts.
If Bledsoe can play better next time out, he should give Milwaukee a chance to pull out the win.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Celtics showed they could pick up a key win even without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward in the lineup. Horford was great and Boston showed its superior depth in this one.
Many might expect Milwaukee to come away with the Game 2 win, but that won’t be the case. Take Boston to take a 2-0 lead in the series with another victory. While the game should be close, the Celtics are the choice to cover in NBA basketball wagering.
The scoring total is too low as these teams should combine for more points than the oddsmakers believe in NBA basketball point betting.
NBA ATS Pick: Celtics 102, Bucks 98
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