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Celtics vs. Bucks Predictions, Picks & Odds: Can Milwaukee Maintain Lead for East’s Top Seed?

Zachary Hanshew

Last Updated: March 30, 2023 3:22 PM EDT • 2 min 43 sec read.

Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket as we look at the best NBA Finals odds
Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images via AFP.

Eastern Conference powerhouses clash in Milwaukee in a game with major playoff implications. Our Celtics vs. Bucks prediction is based on the best NBA odds.

The Boston Celtics head to Fiserv Forum to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, and we’re expecting fireworks between the East’s top two seeds. 

With just six games to go, the Bucks sit three games ahead of the Celtics for the top seed, while the Celtics are just two games ahead of Philly for the No. 2 seed. This game could have huge implications on the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Here is our best Celtics vs. Bucks prediction (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

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Celtics vs. Bucks prediction

Jrue Holiday Over 17.5 points (-115 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Holiday went off for a career-high 51 points in Wednesday’s win over the Indiana Pacers. The game was high-scoring throughout, and Holiday attempted 30 shots, nearly double what he averages per game this season. We won’t be chasing another monster scoring night from the veteran guard, but 17.5 points? We’re absolutely targeting that.

Holiday is averaging 19.4 points per game this season, which is the second-most of his career. He’s scored more at home, averaging 20.1 points at Fiserv Forum compared to 18.6 on the road. 

Holiday scored 40 and 23 against Boston in two matchups this season, and he’s eclipsed 18 points in five of nine meetings with the Celtics since arriving in Milwaukee, averaging 22.3 points in those games. Of the four games he didn’t reach 18 points, Holiday scored 17 three times. 

The Celtics and Bucks have hit the Over in eight of nine games across the last three seasons, so we should expect plenty of scoring tonight. Holiday’s points prop feels far too low, so we’re comfortably taking the Over.

Celtics vs. Bucks best odds

FanDuel (-115)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Over 17.5 Over 17.5 Over 17.5 Over 17.5 Over 17.5 
-125-115-130-129-115

Holiday’s odds are quite a bit longer at BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings, so we’ll avoid those books and turn to FanDuel and PointsBet. The -115 odds are worse than the -110 odds we could get on the spread or point total, but they’re not too far off, and they’ll be quite profitable for a prop that feels like easy money.

Celtics vs. Bucks odds

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Celtics vs. Bucks odds analysis

The Bucks opened as 2.5-point favorites, and that line hasn’t shifted. Milwaukee is playing its second game in as many days, but this line indicates oddsmakers are expecting most of the team to be available. 

Bettors favor the home team, with 65% of wagers placed on Milwaukee to cover. Milwaukee has a 9-1-1 ATS record on no rest and a 21-14-2 record as a home favorite. Boston is 4-1 ATS as a road dog.

The point total opened at 236.5, and it has risen by as much as a point at some shops. The Bucks have hit the Over in 23 of 37 home games, while the Celtics have hit the Over in just 16 of 39 on the road.

The two teams hit the Over in the two previous matchups this season, and Milwaukee has hit the Over in three of its last four, including last night’s 149-136 win over Indiana.

Celtics vs. Bucks game info

  • Date: Thursday, March 30, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: TNT
  • Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI 

Celtics-Bucks pick made 03/30/2023 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

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Written By:
Zachary Hanshew
Zak is a lucky husband and blessed father of four. He’s been writing about sports since 2018 with prior stops at FantasyPros, RotoWire, and FantasyLabs. In addition to Sportsbook Review, you can find his work at NBC Sports Edge, Yahoo, and OwnersBox. When he’s not writing, Zak can be found playing the guitar, hanging out with his family, coaching his son’s basketball team, or laughing way too hard at old Simpsons episodes.