The Milwaukee Bucks (1-2) visit the Boston Celtics (3-0) on NBA Monday, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game is airing live on NBA TV and streaming on YouTube TV.
The Celtics are 9.5-point favorites over the Bucks, with the over/under currently at 232.5 points at BetRivers. The Celtics are -450 favorites on the moneyline to win outright, while the Bucks are +345 to pull off the upset.
Let's dive into my Bucks vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Monday, October 28.
Bucks vs. Celtics Odds
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 232.5 -105o / -110u | +345 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 233.5 -105o / -110u | -450 |
- Bucks vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -9.5
- Bucks vs. Celtics over/under: 232.5 points (-105 over/-110 under)
- Bucks vs. Celtics moneyline: Celtics -450, Bucks +345
- Bucks vs. Celtics best bet: Celtics -9.5 (-110)
Bucks vs. Celtics Injuries
- Bucks F Khris Middleton listed as questionable with ankle injury.
- Celtics C Kristaps Porzingis ruled out with foot injury.
Bucks vs. Celtics Picks & Predictions
Prediction
Celtics -9.5 (-110), BetRivers
Milwaukee's backcourt cannot stop a runny nose right now. They allowed 60 combined points to Coby White and Zach LaVine, along with 62 points to Cam Thomas and Dennis Schroder. Now the Bucks face an elite Boston guard duo.
The Celtics are also raining down triples, which doesn't bode well for a Milwaukee defense that loves to play drop coverage when defending high ball screens. Look for Boston to consistently get great looks from the pick-and-roll.
On the other end, the Celtics have the point-of-attack defenders to throw at Damian Lillard, and the Tatum-Horford duo can at least provide some resistance against Giannis Antetokounmpo. Overall, back the Celtics to cruise.
For all of your NBA bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NBA odds page.
Moneyline
Based on Boston's -435 moneyline odds, they are expected to win the game about 80% of the time.
Spread
The reigning champs are heavy favorites to take this contest, as Milwaukee is being handed almost ten points here.
Over/Under
Boston's offense is scorching hot right now, and Milwaukee's offense far surpasses its defense. The over/under subsequently sits at a large 233.5 total points.
My pick: Celtics -9.5 (-110)
Bucks vs. Celtics Start Time, Channel, Streaming
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Date: | Monday, October 28 |
| Tipoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | NBA TV/ Streaming on YouTube TV |
Celtics vs. Bucks is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET start time, live from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on Monday. The game is live on NBA TV and is streaming on YouTube TV.
Bucks vs. Celtics NBA Preview
Milwaukee Bucks: A Porous Backcourt
Milwaukee entered the offseason with clear needs: Add perimeter defenders and improve the bench. The Bucks were heavily constrained by salary cap rules, but they made the best of the situation and brought in decent depth pieces.
Gary Trent Jr. is a lights-out shooter, Taurean Prince somewhat brings 3-and-D value, and Delon Wright remains an underrated defender and playmaker. Milwaukee’s roster as a whole looks more complete on paper than last season's team, but the Bucks have gotten off to a rough start.
The Bucks took care of business against an injured 76ers squad before falling to the rebuilding Bulls and Nets. It wasn’t just that Milwaukee lost to these lowly teams, it was the manner in which it went down. The Bucks couldn’t stop the opposing guards from creating advantages.
If the front office does not find a way to address this issue, then it’s difficult to view the Bucks as a true championship contender.
Boston Celtics: Tatum Posting MVP Numbers
The Celtics cruised to a title last season and there’s no hint of a championship hangover. They are scoring an astounding 129 points per 100 possessions and shooting 44.2% on triples despite leading the NBA in 3-point attempts per game.
Jayson Tatum, in particular, has really stood out. He’s punishing mismatches, his jumper is smooth, and opponents cannot double him anymore due to the playmaking leap. Through three games, Tatum is averaging 33 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6 assists on 68.8% true shooting. Those are MVP numbers.
But Boston went 2-2 against Milwaukee last season, so they cannot be too comfortable here. Kristaps Porzingis will be sidelined once again, and sharpshooter Sam Hauser may also miss the contest. Injuries could leave Boston's bench a little thin, although Milwaukee is not well-equipped to punish them in this department.
