Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 4/22/2018

Sunday, April 22, 2018

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to BMO Harris Bradley Center to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, April 22, 2018 in Game 4 of their 1st round series. The Celtics lead the series 2-1. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 5 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 50-31-4 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 45-39-0 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 36-44-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 49-34-0 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

04/20/18 F John Henson Back is "?" Sunday vs Boston

Player Spotlight

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

Player Spotlight

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

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.59 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 2nd in the league. They average 44.5 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14 per game. The Celtics allow 100.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 21.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

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

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?

Tony's Pick: Take Milwaukee -5

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