NBA Betting – Bucks, Celtics square off in possible first-round preview

Sportsbook players may have watched Boston and Milwaukee set a tone for a possible first-round series with a physical matchup on Saturday that was full of trash-talking and technical fouls. The two will meet up again on Wednesday for their season finale in Boston, and it could be more of the same.

Bucks vs Celtics odds – Wednesday, April 14, 8:00 PM ET

The Bucks dropped their second straight game on Monday, falling 104-96 at home to Atlanta despite 28 points from John Salmons. Brandon Jennings was next with 21 points, but the rookie showed some poor decision-making by jacking up three-pointers when it wasn’t going to be his night, and he ended up going 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. The Bucks’ sportsbetting chances already took a hit with the injury to center Bogut, but if Jennings is going to continue to hoist up long-range bombs, even though he shots a decent percentage, the Bucks could find themselves out of the first round very quickly.

The Celtics still have to go to Chicago on Tuesday night for a tough game against a team that needs a win to get into the playoffs, so they could be fatigued by the time they face Milwaukee on Wednesday. They better be, because the Bucks will be ready after Boston romped to a 105-90 win in Milwaukee that ended with Bucks coach Scott Skiles getting ejected, three technicals and a flagrant foul. Paul Pierce had 24 points, while Ray Allen added 21 for the Celtics, who played with an intensity that we’re used to seeing from them, but that intensity hasn’t always been there this season. The Celtics held the Bucks to three fast-break points and beat them 40-28 in the paint.

The Celtics should be the NBA betting favorites in this contest as the Bucks have dropped four in a row and seven of their last 10 meetings overall in the TD Banknorth Garden.  The Celtics have won two of their three meetings with the Bucks this season, and a game like this could be the spark that Boston needs to head into the playoffs. We all know that with their talent and experience, the Celtics can play with anyone in the league, but right now, everyone is talking about Cleveland, Orlando, and even Atlanta being above the Celtics. Meanwhile, the Bucks now have to figure out their identity with the loss of their big man in the middle, and there’s a lot of pressure on Salmons and Jennings to produce. That’s a lot of pressure for a journeyman guard and his rookie partner.

Basketball betting pick: Boston