Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Boston Celtics have already beaten the Milwaukee Bucks twice this season but the resurgent Bucks can keep it close against the champions in the Garden.

Head coach Doc Rivers' Milwaukee team is coming off a 15-point home loss to the Atlanta Hawks, while the Celtics most recently beat the Detroit Pistons by 10 points without Jayson Tatum or Jrue Holiday.

While Boston has injury concerns over two of its starters, the Bucks will benefit from the return of three-time All-Star shooting guard Khris Middleton.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics betting picks and predictions

Milwaukee Bucks +7.5 (-105)

A month after the 11-10 Bucks lost by six points to the Celtics at the Fiserv Forum, the two Eastern Conference giants will meet again for a third time this season.

It's 2-0 to the Celtics (18-4) but Joe Mazzulla and his team are well aware that a very different looking Bucks will be arriving in Boston on Friday night.

Since that 113-107 loss at the Forum on November 10, the Bucks have gone 9-2, storming into the top six on the back of a seven-game winning streak which was only ended by Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has found his scoring mojo - he leads the league with 32.6 points per game - and Damian Lillard has also stepped up with averages of 25.6 points and 7.5 assists.

And now there's the live prospect of three-time All Star Khris Middleton coming into Doc Rivers' starting five for the first time since ankle injury in the summer.

Suddenly, the season in Milwaukee has a bright look to it but they know full well that Boston, on a six-game winning streak at The Garden, are more than capable of putting anyone in their place.

However, the Celtics, by their own admission, were sloppy beating Detroit 130-120 last time out. The Celtics, the best from long range this season, made 21 threes; Detroit, who aren't, made 20 and at one stage, late in the third quarter, were shooting 60 percent from downtown.

That troubled Mazzulla, as did the absence of Jayson Tatum through an injury that has left him questionable for Friday’s contest as well.

His big men Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are a long way from 100 percent fit and there's a question mark over Jrue Holiday, too.

Boston is still the best around but Milwaukee is buzzing again. They can keep the Celtics honest and can cover a +7.5-point spread.

Brook Lopez Over 9.5 points (-115)

Bucks' big man Brook Lopez has come off a couple of quiet scoring nights but can up his numbers once again in the Garden.

Lopez had five points in the win at Detroit and five in the loss against Atlanta but he's averaging 11.9 and has been draining shots from everywhere.

Against Washington last weekend, he managed 18 points and hit four threes, but the Celtics' defense is considerably sturdier than the Wizards.

Except, of course, Boston had an off night on Wednesday, beating Detroit but allowing 120 points and Lopez can be a big player as the Bucks try to keep the champions honest.

Khris Middleton Over 15.5 Points, Assists and Rebounds (-105)

Khris Middleton is going to be rusty on his return from a lengthy lay-off but his potential performance is being underrated.

Middleton's points line is 9.5; he also has a line of 15.5 points, assists and rebounds which looks cheaper still at -105 for the Over.

Quite how many minutes Middleton will get is unknown, but the three-time All Star last season averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the regular season.

If he's suited up, chances are he flies past 15.5 points, rebounds and assists.

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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics odds

Milwaukee Bucks	+260 ML
Boston Celtics	-320 ML
Spread	BOS Celtics -7.5
Total Points	O/U 228.5

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics player props

Player Points

Jaylen Brown (BOS Celtics)	O/U 25.5
Jayson Tatum (BOS Celtics)	O/U 27.5
Jrue Holiday (BOS Celtics)	O/U 11.5
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL Bucks)	O/U 30.5
Damian Lillard (MIL Bucks)	O/U 23.5
Brook Lopez (MIL Bucks)	O/U 9.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.