Boston (2-2) at Milwaukee (3-1)
When: Thursday, October 26th 2017
Where: Panther Arena, Milwaukee, WI
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Milwaukee -3.5/207
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The Milwaukee Bucks have made a case early in the season that they will be one of the contenders to Cleveland in the East, and they will look to improve to 2-0 already against the Boston Celtics when they meet on Thursday night on TNT. The Bucks have an MVP-caliber young player on their roster in small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 36.8 points on 65.9% shooting in the first four games of the season. Antetokounmpo – or ‘The Greek Freak’ – had an easy time with Boston in the season opener, collecting 37 points on 13-of-22 shooting, 13 boards, three assists and three steals in a 108-100 win. It was the Celtics’ home opener on the night after the shock of losing Gordon Hayward to a season-ending ankle injury against the Cavaliers, but have since evened their record at 2-2. Boston breezed to a 110-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday while getting strong performances from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
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Brown and Tatum, who are both No. 3 overall picks, are picking up valuable minutes in the wake of Hayward’s injury and both are responding. The two combined for 45 points on 18-of-31 shooting on Tuesday and rank second (Brown 18.8) and third (Tatum, 14.8) on the team in scoring behind Kyrie Irving (20). Guard Marcus Smart (12.0 PPG) has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury and remains day-to-day. Boston won in its only trip to Milwaukee last season, 112-108 in overtime on January 28th.
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Milwaukee would like to get a little help for Antetokounmpo and is pointing towards Khris Middleton, who helped seal Milwaukee’s 103-94 win over Charlotte on Monday. Middleton was just 1-of-15 from beyond the arc on the season before knocking down that shot and is averaging 15.3 points on 39% shooting. Power forward Mirza Teletovic is helping to open up space on the inside for Antetokounmpo as well by knocking down 8-of-13 from 3-point range over the last two games. Point guard Malcolm Brogdon (ankle) sat out Monday’s game and is day-to-day.
If you haven’t seen Antetokounmpo play, here’s your chance on national TV to experience him. He is now the betting favorite to take home the league MVP this season. Boston couldn’t handle him last week, and they’ll have trouble with Antetokounmpo on the road. I like the Bucks in this one.
Pick: Bucks -4
- Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.
- Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win.
- Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Celtics are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win.
- Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games.
- Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
- Bucks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Bucks are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Bucks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Under is 5-0 in Celtics last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 7-2-1 in Celtics last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 6-2 in Celtics last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 6-2 in Celtics last 8 Thursday games.
- Under is 18-7-2 in Celtics last 27 road games.
- Under is 6-0 in Bucks last 6 Thursday games.
- Under is 19-6-1 in Bucks last 26 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 9-3-1 in Bucks last 13 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Under is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
- Under is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 home games.
- Under is 12-5-1 in Bucks last 18 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 15-7-1 in Bucks last 23 vs. Eastern Conference.
