Celtics vs Bucks Prediction, Picks & Player Props (Feb. 14): Can Milwaukee Take Advantage of Boston’s Injuries?

The two best teams in the NBA Eastern Conference will go head-to-head on Tuesday, Feb. 14 as the Boston Celtics pay a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston already blew out Milwaukee 139-118 when the two sides met on Christmas Day, leaving time to tell if tonight’s Celtics vs Bucks matchup unfolds in the same manner.

Celtics Injury Report vs. Bucks

Brogdon, Right Achilles Soreness: PROBABLE
Brown, Facial Fracture: OUT
Gallinari, Left Knee ACL Repair: OUT
Smart, Right Ankle Sprain: OUT
Tatum, Illness: DOUBTFUL
Grant, Right Elbow Swelling: QUESTIONABLE
Rob, Left Ankle Soreness: QUESTIONABLE

— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) February 13, 2023

The Celtics are on fire, having won each of their last four games. Their most recent effort was a 119-109 effort against the Memphis Grizzlies that saw Derrick White lead the way with a team-high 23 points and 10 assists in 40 minutes of action.

Meanwhile, the Bucks also have a fair bit of momentum on their side. They’ve won 10 straight games ahead of this matchup and just went 3-0 on a west coast road trip, most recently picking up a 119-106 victory over the LA Clippers on Friday.

There’s a lot to take in before Tuesday’s Celtics vs Bucks game. Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the game’s odds while also having a prediction, the best bets and a player prop for tonight’s contest.

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Boston Celtics (41-16, 18-9 Away) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (39-17, 23-5 Home)
• Venue & Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Celtics vs Bucks TV Info: TNT

Celtics vs Bucks Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7:59 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Boston Celtics +9.5 (-110)
• Milwaukee Bucks -9.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 226.5 Points (-110)
• Under 226.5 Points (-110)

Moneyline

• Boston Celtics +310
• Milwaukee Bucks -390

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

• Boston is 6-1 straight up in its last seven games.
• Milwaukee is 7-0 straight up in its last seven home games.
• Boston is 13-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 15 games against Milwaukee.
• Milwaukee is 5-1 ATS in its last six games played in February.
• The total has hit the under in six of Boston’s last seven road games.
• The total has hit the under in nine of Milwaukee’s last 12 games against the Atlantic Division.

Celtics vs Bucks Prediction and Picks

Celtics vs Bucks Prediction: Bucks 119, Celtics 107

Celtics vs Bucks Picks: Bucks -9.5 (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline) & Under 226.5 Points Points (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline)

A quick look at the odds shows that the Celtics are major underdogs tonight. It’s a bit surprising to see the NBA’s first-place team as a 9.5-point underdog, but it makes sense considering how banged-up their lineup is.

Marcus Smart (ankle), Jaylen Brown (face) and Danilo Gallinari (knee) have all been ruled out from tonight’s contest. Furthermore, leading scorer Jayson Tatum (illness) is doubtful to suit up against the Bucks.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Grant Williams (elbow) and Robert Williams III (ankle)will likely be game-time decisions. Malcolm Brogdon is currently dealing with an Achilles injury, but The Athletic’s Jared Weiss reports that he’s probable to play.

The Bucks are dealing with some missing players too, but there’s aren’t nearly as bad. They’ll likely only be without Bobby Portis (knee) and Jae Crowder (recently traded). Giannis Antetokounmpo has been hampered by a knee injury, but all signs point to him playing tonight.

Speaking of him, Antetokounmpo has been tremendous during Milwaukee’s 10-game winning streak. The ‘Greek Freak’ is averaging 37.3 points on 59.8% shooting over that stretch while also tallying 13.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists along the way.

Antetokounmpo has a good chance of continuing that success considering how he averaged 32.9 PTS/13.5 REB/6.3 AST in his last 10 games against the Celtics. The fact that Boston could be without the majority of its key players will only make things easier.

It’s also hard to like the injury-riddled Celtics when the Bucks have been tearing up the competition lately. Over the last 10 games, Milwaukee leads the NBA in both points (124.7) and rebounds (53.1) per game while also averaging 15.4 three-pointers (No. 3) on a 36.9% success rate (No. 13).

As great as the Celtics are this season, I don’t see how they can keep up with those numbers in their current form. Things aren’t made easier by the fact that the Bucks have won seven straight home games, outscoring opponents by an average margin of 10.3 points.

Keeping all of that in mind, I’m siding with Milwaukee to win tonight’s Celtics vs Bucks showdown. The Bucks are on fire and most of their top players will be in the lineup tonight. As good as the Celtics are, they’re better off looking forward to the next time these two teams meet on March 30.

Nevertheless, I’m also siding with the Bucks on the spread. Their offense is the best in the NBA at the moment and they shouldn’t have an issue blowing out the Celtics, who’ll potentially be without the likes of Tatum, Brown and Smart. It also helps that Milwaukee is 18-10 ATS at Fiserv Forum this season.

I’m also backing the total to go under 226.5 points tonight. All of the injuries that both sides are dealing with likely means less offense. Furthermore, the under is 6-1 in Boston’s last seven road games and 5-1 in Milwaukee’s last six overall.

Best Celtics vs Bucks Prop Bet

Giannis Antetokounmpo — Over 33.5 Points (-111)

As mentioned above, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on fire lately. While 33.5 points is a big projected total for any player, it’s a number that the 28-year-old has surpassed seven times in his last eight games. He’s also hit the over in four of his last six outings against the Celtics.

With Boston being as shorthanded as can be, there’s good potential for another dominant performance from Antetokounmpo. With that being said, taking the over is the way to go on this prop bet.

Other Boston vs Milwaukee Resources

• Celtics vs Bucks Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats