Boston (27-12) at Milwaukee (36-6)
When: Thursday, January 16th, 2020
Where: Fiserv Forum,
Milwaukee, WI
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Milwaukee -9.5/223
The NBA schedule makers didn’t do the Boston Celtics any favors by making them play at the Milwaukee Bucks the night after playing a home game against the Detroit Pistons. Boston might have been looking ahead as they were handled by the Pistons 116-103 last night and have now lost four of their last six games to fall into third place in the Eastern Conference behind the Miami Heat. The Celtics were without star power forward Jayson Tatum versus the Pistons because of knee soreness but coach Brad Stevens said he should be ready to go against the Bucks. Milwaukee had the day off after beating up the New York Knicks 128-102 for their fourth straight victory and are running away with the East, leading the Heat by seven full games. The Bucks only have six losses on the season and one of them was to the Celtics back on Oct. 30 – a 116-105 setback in Boston. Milwaukee is off to the best 42-game start in franchise history and have won their last three games by an average of 22.7 points. The Celtics are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings and lost in five games last Spring to the Bucks in the playoffs.
Celtics point guard Kemba Walker was held under 20 points for the third straight game, but did score 32 points in the October win over Milwaukee. Small forward Gordon Hayward led the way last night with 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting after scoring in single digits in two of the three previous games, but the team allowed the Pistons to shoot an incredible 60.3 percent from the field. Shooting guard Jaylen Brown was right behind Hayward with 24 points and matched his season high of 12 rebounds but sprained his right thumb during the game and will be re-evaluated Thursday. Boston will open a three-game homestand Saturday against Phoenix.
The Bucks would love to see shooting guard Wesley Matthews get back on track after a dismal stretch in which he’s made just 10-of-41 shot in his last six contests. Milwaukee is the highest scoring team on the league at 119.4 a game and have eclipsed 100 points in 66 straight games, the longest streak since the Dallas Mavericks had a 67-game run in 1986-87. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way Tuesday with 37 points and nine rebounds despite playing only 21 minutes in the rout of the Knicks. Antetokounmpo is averaging 34.5 points over the past two games since scoring a season-low 13 against the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Milwaukee will be at Brooklyn on Saturday.
The Bucks are currently more healthy and more rested, but this is a lot of points to give a team who has the second-best scoring defense in the league. I’ll take the points.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Thursday. He is 46-35-3 (57%) on the season!
Pick: Celtics +9
Celtics are 15-3 ATS in their last 18 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day.
Celtics are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Celtics are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Celtics are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Celtics are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Celtics are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Celtics are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 Thursday games.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Bucks are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as an underdog.
Bucks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Bucks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Bucks are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games following a straight up win.
Bucks are 37-16-1 ATS in their last 54 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Bucks are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games overall.
Bucks are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bucks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games.
Under is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Under is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 games as a road favorite.
Under is 8-2 in Celtics last 10 games playing on 0 days rest.
Under is 6-2 in Celtics last 8 games as a favorite.
Under is 19-7 in Celtics last 26 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 8-3 in Celtics last 11 Thursday games.
Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 9-4 in Celtics last 13 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes on the previous day.
Over is 21-10 in Celtics last 31 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games as a home underdog.
Under is 6-2 in Bucks last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 15-6 in Bucks last 21 games as an underdog.
Under is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Milwaukee.
