Boston Celtics (57-27 SU, 52-30-2 ATS) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (44-40 SU, 34-45-5 ATS)
Time: Friday, April 20th, 2018 9:30 PM EDT
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI
TV: ESPN
by Keith, Professional NBA Handicapper, Predictem
Odds Boston +230, Milwaukee -270
Point Spread: Milwaukee -6
Total Line: 203
The Boston Celtics will hit the road as they venture off to the Milwaukee Bucks for Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Bucks will take on hosting duties as they welcome the Celtics to the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 20th, 2018 at 9:30 PM ET. The fixture will be televised for national audiences on ESPN. After a Game Two victory that raised many eyebrows, the Celtics have taken a 2-0 lead over the Deers in the series. Overall, Boston has now won five of the last eight fixtures between the two teams.
The Celtics step into this contest with enhanced momentum after they defeated the Bucks 120-106 in the TD Garden in Game Two. Boston’s play is bound to foster a lot of attraction from the general public in their follow-up, even if the contest takes place in the BMO Harris Bradley Center where Milwaukee plays a much higher brand of basketball.
There are several key betting trends worth focusing on here. The Celtics have gone 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings against Milwaukee. At home, Milwaukee is 25-16 SU while the Celtics retain a remarkable 27-13 SU away record. Boston has mirrored this record in their against the spread portfolio on the road. On the contrary, Milwaukee has been supremely overvalued at home with a 12-25 ATS mark.
Boston’s hallmark is their rugged style of defense and physical play in the rebounding department. Across the league, the Celtics have cemented themselves with a reputation of being one of the most in-your-face teams. The Celtics also are not intimidated by playing in hostile confines as they have done so with ease all year long. Given their position as a number two seed in this bracket, the Celtics will look to be an appetizing play too many as they are expected to go deep in the playoffs.
Milwaukee has always been a dangerous team when they are off the grid. The Bucks are a seven seed in this playoff format and with that comes the propensity to take back friendly numbers against the spread. However, in this series, Milwaukee has yet to cover. Generally speaking, this means the stock on Boston is at a premium which presents a valuable opportunity for Bucks takers. For more handicapping angles check out NBA Betting Angles.
From the opening tick, we have seen a lean materialize on the Celtics. As a result, we have seen the line move half of a point downward to reflect this trend. To enchant action on the Bucks, the Deers have been offered with reduced juice in some markets at -105. 75% of the consensus overall like the Celtics in this spot from a forum perspective. In the Over/Under, the market has risen by half of a point to reflect the action on the Over. In some markets, the Under is accompanied by a price tag of +107.
To the eyes of many, the number offered here with Boston seems too good to be true. Usually, when this is the case, it most certainly is. However, the number presented here is no gift from the bookies. The Bucks without certainty are an elite outfit when they are at home, and the market is astute to this narrative. This is even in spite of the fact Milwaukee was overpowered in Game Two. This situation seems to be one of those rare scenarios where the public gets all over a dog. Usually, such an event doesn’t end well for takers as linemakers are especially sharp here in the NBA Playoffs. Milwaukee will respond to Game Two’s defeat with a convincing win on their court in Game Three.
KEITHs PICK: Milwaukee -6 at 5Dimes to get the best line on this game and guys if you don’t have an account here, now is the time to save money during the NBA playoffs and all season long in MLB!