Game Time: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, May 7th, 2022 

Venue:   Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

Where to Watch: ABC

DraftKings:  Bucks -2; O/U 212.5

Fanduel:  Bucks -2; O/U 213

BetMGM: Bucks -2; O/U 212.5

Celtics: 51-31, 2nd place Eastern Conference

Bucks: 51-31, 3rd place Eastern Conference

An NBA second round Playoff series, game 3.  The Celtics vs Bucks have given us some fireworks so far.  The series is split 1-1. Each team has won one game and 1 ATS.  Each team has a fully fledged NBA star leading the way.  For the Boston Celtics it’s SF Jayson Tatum… who is beginning to prove that he is more Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant than anyone had thought before.  The Bucks are led by PG Giannis Antetokounmpo… a pure basketball savant that is and will be an MVP candidate every year for years to come.  The Celtics have been taking a long slow building path to get to the point where they are seen as legit contenders.  The Bucks are last season’s Champions.  The Celtics have a dinged-up Center (Robert Williams III) that is valiantly playing through pain as he may be the most important defensive player.  The Bucks are missing SF Khris Middleton who is vitally important to stretching the opposing team’s defense with the threat of the deep jump shot.  These teams are wildly different on paper… but desperately close in their season record, home record and road record.  The pressure is on the Bucks in this game as they are back at home… if they lose… they will be giving back home court advantage to the Celtics and they have only had it for a few days.  Let’s check the numbers and check the spread… and let’s make this a winning betting opportunity!

The Boston Celtics have won 8 of their last 10 games including the last 4 regular season games.  They are 8-2 ATS during that stretch.  They have been a great betting opportunity all season, but especially since January when they found a second gear. The Celtics last game against Milwaukee was a win 109-86 and a win ATS. SG Jaylen Brown, 30 points, 6 assists, 6 rbs, and SF Jayson Tatum 29 points, 8 assists, 3 rbs absolutely feasted on the Bucks. The Duo is the Celtics Big Two… They have spent 4 seasons hearing the whispers about how they should be split up and thankfully the Celtics never pulled the trigger.  PG Marcus Smart had to sit this one out in street clothes because of the beating he took in game 1… that left backup PF Grant Williams to step up and nab 21 points.  The formula is clear for the Celtics… as long as a third player steps up to help Brown and Tatum.. While PF Al Horford and C Robert Williams III play tough defense and get 9-12 points a piece (they did)... no one can stop them.  Our pressing concerns when deciding to bet on the Celtics are: Will Marcus Smart play?... Can either Grant Williams, SG Derrick White, or PG Payton Pritchard step up off the bench on the road in the Playoffs… The team needs 1 guy to lessen the pressure on the starting five.

The Milwaukee Bucks have won 7 of their last 10 games including the last 3 regular season games.  They went 5-5 ATS during that stretch.  In their last game, an 86-109 loss and loss ATS.  Milwaukee got the Playoff low end from Giannis Antetokounmpo with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.  A great game for most NBA players who have ever strapped on shoes… but not quite enough from Giannis. PG Jrue Holiday got 19 pts and 7 assists, F Bobby Portis and G Pat Connaughton each got 13 points. It can not be said enough that Jrue Holiday needs to be that second guy… He is billed (and definitely was last season) as part of a BIG THREE…. It is simply not true… The Bucks have a Big One in Giannis… those other guys are NBA Starters… but if Jrue wanted to prove otherwise.. He needs to land 25+ points in every game from here on out.  If Holiday keeps failing to push the issue and stand back and watch Giannis do all the work… The Bucks will be out of the Playoffs in short order.  SG and madman Grayson Allen also had a bad game.. But he isn’t supposed to be what Holiday is… Maybe we will see better from both tonight?

Team Del Genio is 38-18 in the last 30 days of NBA betting.  The TEAM is killing the playoffs and if you had bet along with them you would be up +$16, 350. Don’t leave all this winning on the table!  Get Team Del Genio’s picks now!  Don’t miss out on these great chances to beat your Book! Make winning the thing you do from now on!! Stay with BigAl.com throughout the NBA Playoffs and let’s grow that bankroll! You can discover the best  picks right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers. NCAAF, NFL, MLB, college football… get positive value from all your bets! Expert picks!  Fun fact… winning a wager is much better than making a wager!

Boston is 56-32 on the season, but 49-38-1 ATS.  They have logged 42 Overs, 44 Unders, and 2 Push.  They are 25-18 in road games.

Milwaukee is 56-33 on the season, but 43-46 ATS.  They have notched 43 Overs and 46 Unders.  They are 29-15 in home games.

The Celtics are 12th in scoring with 111.8 ppg, 5th in rebounds with 46.1 per game, and 11th in AST/TO ratio with 1.8.  On defense they rank FIRST while holding opponents to 104.5 ppg.

The Bucks are 3rd in scoring with 115.5 ppg, 2nd in rebounds with 46.7 per game, and 15th in AST/TO ratio with 1.8.  On defense they rank 19th while holding opponents to 112.1 ppg.

Our prediction for Saturday, May 7th is….. Celtics 118 - Bucks 104

Bet on the Celtics.  Bet them a little bigger than the standard bet. You get 2 points to put in your pocket… but there is something better.  You get to bet on the best defensive team in basketball.  The Celtics lost Game 1 and made some adjustments to schemes and rotations… Then they killed the Bucks.  The Bucks lost Game 2… but they have no ability to make adjustments!  The Bucks play Giannis basketball not team basketball.  Bucks’ Head Coach Mike Budenholzer will simply have to yell “Get back on defense!!” louder… because if he makes any changes he ruins what they do best… which is to simply rely on 1 player.

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The Boston Celtics are 1 Overs and 8 Under in the second round of the Playoffs the last 3 seasons.

The Celtics are 20-7 ATS after a combined score of 205 points this season.

The Bucks are 6-1 ATS when tied in a Playoff series the last 3 seasons.

The Bucks are 3 Over and 10 Under at home when the line is +3 to -3 the last 3 seasons.

Celtics: PG Marcus Smart (quad) Probable

Bucks: SF Khris Middleton (Knee) Out

Celtics: SF Jayson Tatum,. PF Al Horford, C Robert Williams III, SG Jaylen Brown, PG Derrick White

Bucks: C Brook Lopez, PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Bobby Portis, SG Wesley Matthews, PG Jrue Holiday

Celtics: Ime Udoka

Bucks: Mike Budenholzer