Bucks vs. Celtics Prediction, Picks & Props for Game 2

The 2021-22 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals continue on Tuesday, May 3 with Game 2 of the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics series.

The Bucks handled the Celtics in impressive fashion in Game 1, defeating them by a score of 101-89 to take the 1-0 series lead. Considering how it was Boston that was initially favored to win this series, another win from Milwaukee would go a long way in preventing that from happening.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are going to need more help from just about all their players after Jayson Tatum was the only Boston player to score more than 12 points in Game 1. Winning a championship just isn’t possible with that type of offense, or lack thereof.

Can the Bucks take the 2-0 series lead? Or will the Celtics figure a way to tie things up?

#3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #2 Boston Celtics Game 2 Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Game Matchup: #3 Milwaukee Bucks (51-31 #3 seed in the Western Conference) vs. #2 Boston Celtics (51-31, #2 seed in the Western Conference)
• Venue & Location: TD Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2022
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Bucks vs. Celtics Game 2: TNT

Bucks vs. Celtics Game 2 Betting Odds

Odds are via our top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks.

BetOnline Sportsbook

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks +4.5 (-110), Boston Celtics -4.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 215.5 (-110), UNDER 215.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +160, Boston Celtics -190

Bovada Sportsbook

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks +4.5 (-110), Boston Celtics -4.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 215.5 (-110), UNDER 215.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +170, Boston Celtics -200

BetUS

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks +4.5 (-109), Boston Celtics -4.5 (-112)
• Total: OVER 215.5 (-110), UNDER 215.5 (-112)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +155, Boston Celtics -190

Can the Bucks Take the 2-0 Series Lead?

The Bucks may have been the underdogs heading into Game 1, but they sure didn’t look like it when the dust finally settled.

Veteran guard Jrue Holiday led the Bucks with a team-high 25 points on Sunday, adding an additional nine rebounds, five assists and a trio of steals. His defensive skills played a role in essentially shutting down Jaylen Brown, which Milwaukee will need more of to win this series.

Not far behind Holiday was Giannis Antetokounmpo with his 24 points in nearly 38 minutes of action. On top of that, the ‘Greek Freak’ finished with 12 assists and 13 rebounds for his second career playoff triple-double.

The duo of Holiday and Antetokounmpo combined for 49 points and were the only Bucks players to score more than 15, so it’s clear that the organization needs them to remain consistent throughout the series.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Bucks despite the fact that they won Game 1.

For starters, the Bucks didn’t shoot the ball well as a team on Sunday, going .411 from the field. Even though the Celtics’ defense played a significant role in that, it still isn’t ideal when Milwaukee’s starting five goes 28-of-71 (.394) on field-goal attempts.

Wesley Matthews and Brook Lopez also need to play better if they’re going to receive starter minutes after shooting .357 from the field and .125 from three-point range.

If the Bucks can clear these issues up, winning Game 2 will be a more achievable feat.

Celtics Look to Rebound in a Big Way

With home-court advantage on their side, the Celtics were supposed to be the ones entering Game 2 with the 1-0 lead. Instead, they’re playing catchup.

After averaging 29.5 PPG in the first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, Jayson Tatum had just 21 points on a .333 FG% in Game 1. He’s the Celtics’ best player and the team can’t succeed without him unless he finds a way to beat Milwaukee’s defense.

Speaking of which, Jaylen Brown is in need of a rebound performance after scoring only 12 points in Sunday’s defeat.

In fact, the starting trio of Brown, Al Horford and Marcus Smart could afford to shoot better. They went a combined 10-of-28 from the field and 5-of-16 from beyond the arc last game, which played a role in the Celtics only scoring 89 points.

Much like the Bucks, the Celtics didn’t shoot the ball as an entire team that well, finishing with a .333 FG%. Furthermore, they were out-rebounded, 54-48, and had 18 turnovers compared to Milwaukee’s 13.

We’ve seen how the Celtics can play when they’re at the top of their game and that just wasn’t it in Game 1. Boston is 30-14 (regular season + playoffs) at TD Garden for a reason this season. They need to prove that on Tuesday.

Bucks vs. Celtics Game 2 Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Celtics 115, Bucks 110

Best Bets: Celtics -4.5 (-110 at BetOnline Sportsbook) and Over 215.5 (-110 at BetUS)

The Bucks may have been the better team in Game 1, but the Celtics are too good to go down 0-2 in this series. Look for them to get bounce-back performances from their top stars.

Best Prop Pick for Bucks vs. Celtics Game 2

• Jayson Tatum Over 28.5 Points (-116 at BetOnline Sportsbook)

Tatum may have had the most points for the Celtics in Game 1, but he’s capable of much more than that.

As mentioned before, he averaged nearly 30 PPG in the series against the Nets and has also finished with the over on this prop in four of his last six games.

With the Celtics looking to even up the series, expected a big performance from Tatum to help them get there tonight.

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