Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction, Tips and Odds – Dec. 25, 2022 23:00 CET
The most interesting duel of the Christmas program is played in Boston, where the home Celtics welcome the Milwaukee Bucks. A repeat of last year’s semi-final, which was decided in 7 games, and a duel between the first-placed teams in the East.
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Boston Celtics Team News
The Celtics are still the best team in the league, both in scoring and in many other statistical parameters. They are currently 23-10, while Tatum and Brown are the most productive part of the league where they average 57 points per game. What particularly pleases Celtics fans is that the team’s defensive rating is getting better from game to game. But they are in a significant decline in form. That was to be expected, given that they shot unreal in the opening part of the season.
When we add to the bad shooting and the bad defense they have been playing lately, it is not surprising that they have lost three consecutive times, against weaker teams. This was followed by the absence of Tatum, who rested for a couple of games. In the last match, they beat the Wolves and returned to first place in the East, but the game against the Bucks is of great importance for them. Another match against perhaps the biggest rival in the East. Horford is especially motivated against Giannis and shows in every matchup that he is not about to retire.
Against the Wolves, Tatum returned and the offense worked immediately. Brown was the most efficient with 36 points, while Tatum added 30 points.
Milwaukee Bucks Team News
The Wisconsin team has shown a lot of weakness lately. Although Giannis has long since mastered how to get rid of the box-one defense, his shooters are not helping him properly. As soon as the three-point shooting percentage goes over 35%, the Bucks win those matches, and Giannis is relieved a lot more. However, in the last two matches, the percentages went below 30%, and defeats against the Cavs and Nets followed.
However, the Bucks are consistent and share first place with the Celtics with a score of 22-10. Excellent score compared to the problems they have with injuries. Middleton and Ingles missed the first part of the season, while not a single match this season was played in full.
The whole team of Bucks is designed to “help” Giannis, who creates “corridors” through the racket and if it is not possible to finish on the hoop, throws rebounds to his shooters. They are also very powerful and compact in defense.
The Bucks and Celtics always play interesting matches, so we expect it to be the same this time. In the defeat against the Nets, Antetokounmpo stood out with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it was not enough to answer Durant and company.
H2H
12.07.22 – Boston Celtics : Milwaukee Bucks – 111:109
15.05.22 – Boston Celtics : Milwaukee Bucks – 109:81
14.05.22 – Milwaukee Bucks : Boston Celtics – 95:108
12.05.22 – Boston Celtics : Milwaukee Bucks – 107:110
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
The bookies have the Celtics as clear favorites. However, we think that this match will be one-ball, like most of the matches played by these two teams. Well, this Bucks handicap seems very tempting to us.
Danilo Gallinai will not be in the lineup for the Celtics, while Middleton is a question mark for the Bucks.
Tip-off Time: Sunday, 25.12.2022, 23:00h CET
Prediction: Bucks +6.5
Odds: 1,70
Sportsbook: Unibet