Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 4/20/2018

Friday, April 20, 2018

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Game 3 of their 1st round series. Boston leads the series 2-0. The opening line for this game has Milwaukee as 6 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup after finishing the regular season with a mark of 55-27. They were 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of 3.6 as they averaged 104.0 points per contest while giving up 100.4 per game. The Bucks had an overall mark of 44-38. They finished 3rd in the Central Division. They totaled 106.5 points per contest and gave up 106.8, which is a point differential of -0.3.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 50-30-4 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 44-39-0 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 35-44-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 48-34-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
04/05/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee is out for season
03/12/18 F Daniel Theis Knee is out for season
03/12/18 G Marcus Smart Thumb is out indefinitely

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Al Horford comes into this game averaging 12.9 points per contest while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 7.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 78%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.9 points per contest in 30.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.6 assists per game and 5 rebounds per contest for Boston. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton has scored 20.1 points per contest while playing 36.4 minutes per game this season for the Bucks. He hauls in 5.2 rebounds per contest and has 4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 26.9 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 10 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104 points per contest this year, which is 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.59 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They average 44.5 boards per contest and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 16th with 14 per game. The Celtics allow 100.4 points per contest which is 3rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they allow 21.3 assists per game which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 15th in the NBA with 106.5 points per contest this season. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -0.3. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 22nd in the league. They are 30th in the NBA in rebounding with 39.8 boards per contest and 14th in assists per game with 23.2. The Bucks are 20th in turnovers per contest with 13.8. The Bucks give up 106.8 points per game, which ranks them 16th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 22nd and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 23.6 dimes allowed per game and 12th with 42.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Bucks are 29th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.6, and their defensive rating of 103.9 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Boston is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 11th in the league. The Bucks are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Milwaukee -6

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