The Milwaukee Bucks (47-31) have hit a roadblock lately with four consecutive defeats and will need to beat the best team in the NBA to break the slump on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Co. play host to the Boston Celtics (62-16) at the Fiserv Forum.
Bookmaker Pinnacle has the points total for both teams set at 113.5. The odds are at -113 for Boston to go over it and -115 for Milwaukee to score at least 114 points.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: April 8th, 7:30 P.M. (EST)
The two Eastern Conference juggernauts meet for the fourth and final time in the regular season, with Boston having won two of the previous three clashes. The last victory came only three weeks ago, 122-119, with Giannis out of the Bucks lineup.
Antetokounmpo is officially regarded as questionable for Tuesday’s game, but he can’t really afford to take time off, as Milwaukee is in danger of slipping down from the second spot in the Conference.
Meanwhile, Khris Middleton is considered probable to play after he got a tooth knocked out and left Sunday’s 122-109 loss to the Knicks early. The Bucks will need to have all of their big guns in the lineup to knock off a team that’s lost only five games since the start of February.
The defeat to the Knicks dropped Doc Rivers’ record in Milwaukee to 15-17. He’s had an awful time since replacing Adrian Griffin on the Bucks bench. But a morale-boosting victory against a top team like the Celtics right before the postseason begins could do wonders for Milwaukee’s confidence.
Boston has secured the best record in the league and can play out the rest of the regular season without any pressure. It’s been a fantastic year right from the off for Joe Mazzulla’s team, and Tuesday provides a fresh opportunity for the Celtics to show that they are the clear favorite to win the Eastern Conference in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The C’s should also be motivated by the chance to earn their 63rd win of the season. It would be the most victories Boston has had since finishing its most recent title-winning campaign in 2007-08 with a 66-16 record.
Mazzulla could be without Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford on Tuesday, as both players are listed as questionable on the injury report. However, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown ready to go, Boston will be ready to push Milwaukee all the way.
