Bucks vs. Celtics Series Prediction and Odds for Eastern Conference Semifinals
By Peter Dewey
The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics both made quick work of their first-round opponents in the NBA playoffs, and now they will square off in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
These are two of the best teams in the NBA, as Boston was ninth in offensive rating and first in defensive rating in the regular season while the Bucks were third and 14th in those respective categories.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo are both candidates to go First Team All-NBA this season, but the Bucks will be without All-Star wing Khris Middleton for potentially the entire series.
The left MCL injury of Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton is a Grade 2 sprain and he is expected to miss the entire second-round series vs. Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The recovery of Grade 2 MCL places a potential Conference Finals in jeopardy for him as well.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 28, 2022
Who has the edge between the defending champs and the league’s hottest team?
Let’s check out the series odds at WynnBET before making a pick.
Bucks vs. Celtics Series and Exact Outcome Odds
Series Odds
- Celtics: -200
- Bucks: +150
Exact Outcome Odds
- Celtics in 7: +325
- Celtics in 6: +400
- Bucks in 6: +500
- Celtics in 4: +650
- Bucks in 5: +650
- Celtics in 5: +750
- Bucks in 7: +900
- Bucks in 4: +1750
Bucks vs. Celtics Series Prediction and Pick
Boston is rightfully favored in this series, as the team’s defense is going to be hard for any team to overcome in the playoffs.
Boston frustrated Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in its first-round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, but does it have someone who can truly match up with Giannis?
That’s where things get interesting, but the Celtics usually just switch everything on defense, especially when they play the lineup of Marcus Smart. Jaylen Brown, Tatum, Al Horford and Robert Williams.
Milwaukee is going to need role players like Grayson Allen, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis to have some big-time performances in this series, but I’m not sure they’ll be consistent enough to win the series.
I’ll lean with Boston to take this series, but I think it goes the distance.
Lean: Celtics -200 | Celtics in 7 (+325)
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
Who should you bet on this NBA postseason? Check out BetSided's breakdown of the Eastern and Western Conference brackets!