Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics 3/20/24 – As the NBA regular season heads into its final stretch, a marquee matchup is set to take place between the Milwaukee Bucks (43-24) and the Boston Celtics (52-14), showcasing two of the league’s powerhouses. This clash not only has implications for playoff seeding but also serves as a potential preview of a deep postseason run for both teams. With the Celtics holding the best record in the NBA and the Bucks not far behind, this game is a must-watch for fans and bettors alike, making it a hot topic for NBA top latest picks.
| When: | Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Boston bound.@MichelobULTRA x #UltraDrip pic.twitter.com/SWR9YTgOSN
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 19, 2024
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucks | +9 -115 | o224 -110 | +183 |  |
| Celtics | -9 -105 | u224 -110 | -217 | |
| ||||
Damian Lillard (PG) vs. Jrue Holiday (PG)
The Portland Trail Blazers’ superstar point guard Damian Lillard has been blowing people away with his performance on the court this season. Over 62 games, Lillard has a scoring average of 24.3, a rebound average of 4.4 and an assist average of 6.9, both indicators of his ball scoring and distributing efficiency. The fact that he averages 35 minutes per game shows his importance to the Bucks’ game plan, and the leadership qualities he displays on court will be important in the series against the Celtics. On the other hand, three turnovers per game by Lillard was one of the aspects of his game which could be an issue against the well-defended Boston side.
Moreover, Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics likewise has given off great numbers in his 60 appearances scoring 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5 assists per match. However, despite the fact that his scoring is not as powerful as Lillard’s, Holiday’s defensive skills, visible in 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, make him even more of an unstoppable rival. His ability to perform well in all aspects of the game as well as the ratio of 1.8 turnovers per game is what might give him an upper hand in mastering the flow of the game and making critical moments possible.
When these two guards compete with each other on the court, it will definitely be a fascinating show of offensive mastery vs. tactical awareness.defensive resilience. Lillard will be tested by Holiday’s defensive ability, and he needs to increase his point guard game. Holiday, on the other hand, will challenge Lillard to work on his entire play, including defense. The crucial matchup in this game doesn’t only decide the game but significantly affects their team’s performance with a slight change in their impact.
Bucks’ Offensive Firepower
The Milwaukee Bucks have been on fire on the offense this season, scoring 120.4 points per game with 49% of their shots from the field. This aligns with their ability to make a ton of three-pointers (5.7 made per game) at 37.4% rank as a key component of their playbook as well. Yet, the factor they might see as a weakness is their 12.2 turnovers per game, which the Celtics thrive at turning their mistakes into their own scoring spree.
Celtics’ Balanced Dominance
The Boston Celtics did not only manage to match the points-per-game output of the Milwaukee Bucks with 120.9 but also proved to have a slightly better shot percentage from beyond the three-point line, tallying 16.4 three-pointers at 38.7 percent. Their defense, consisting of 6.6 blocks per game too, is what makes them such a tough team to break down as they are good on both sides of the courts.
NBA Betting Odds: TBD, Over/Under: TBD
With the betting odds for this game yet to be determined, bettors will need to keep a close eye on developments leading up to tip-off. The Celtics’ home-court advantage and better overall record might position them as favorites, but the Bucks’ explosive offense cannot be underestimated.
Trends
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends
Bucks are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
Milwaukee are 2-3 in their last 5 games against the spread
Bucks are 14-20 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Bucks’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 18 of Bucks’ 33 last games at home
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
Celtics are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Boston are 4-1 in their last 5 games against the spread
Celtics are 15-15 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Celtics’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 16 of Celtics’ 33 last games at home
Injuries
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo PF Is “?” Wednesday vs Boston, Hamstring
Marjon Beauchamp SF Is probable Wednesday vs Boston, Back
Boston Celtics
Al Horford C Is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs Milwaukee, Toe
Jrue Holiday PG Is “?” Wednesday vs Milwaukee, Shoulder
Jaylen Brown SF Is “?” Wednesday vs Milwaukee, Ankle
Jayson Tatum SF Is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs Milwaukee, Ankle
Sam Hauser PF Is “?” Wednesday vs Milwaukee, Ankle
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Picks
This match is anticipated to be the most fiercely contested duel between the 2 most renowned teams in the NBA. The Celtics defensive ability, and the fact that they are at home, are all factors that contribute to the Bucks being a strong choice but their offensive power must not be discounted. This show may be stolen by either Lillard or Holiday because the one who can take the game control will surely stand as the winner.
Celtics could have a slight edge over the opponents, especially with balanced attack and defensive play. Nevertheless, the Bucks being about the only team that can cover the spread in case they are set pretty close. Along this line, a prop bet on players’ performances like Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday could be more lucrative to wagers.For the bettors, premier sportsbook online platforms will give the latest odds and odds of betting closer to the game day. Sign up today to make your NBA betting prediction!
Score Prediction: Celtics 118, Bucks 114.
