The Milwaukee Bucks travel to TD Garden on Friday night to take on the Boston Celtics in a marquee Eastern Conference matchup. The Celtics have dominated the season series so far, winning both prior meetings and maintaining their position as one of the league’s top teams.
Boston sits second in the Eastern Conference with an 18-4 record, while Milwaukee is fifth at 11-10. Both teams bring star power and compelling storylines into this game, with Khris Middleton potentially making his season debut for the Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks saw their seven-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday in a 119-104 loss to Atlanta. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered another stellar performance with 31 points and 11 rebounds, while Damian Lillard added 25 points. Milwaukee struggled defensively, allowing the Hawks to shoot 49% from the field.
Khris Middleton is expected to return from offseason surgeries on both ankles, giving Milwaukee a boost on both ends of the court. Middleton averaged 15.1 points per game last season and provides a steady veteran presence alongside Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Milwaukee will need to improve its defensive consistency to compete with Boston’s high-powered offense.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics come into this game with momentum, extending their home winning streak to six games with a 130-120 victory over Detroit. Despite missing Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday, Boston showcased its depth, led by Jaylen Brown’s 28 points and Kristaps Porziņģis’ season-high 26 points. Sam Hauser also chipped in with 20 points in a strong shooting display.
Boston leads the league in defensive efficiency, allowing just 110.2 points per game. Their ability to defend the three-point line effectively will be critical against a Milwaukee team that ranks among the league’s top teams in three-point percentage. Tatum is listed as questionable, but even without him, the Celtics’ balanced attack poses challenges for any opponent.
Pick and Prediction
This game will likely come down to the battle between Milwaukee’s star duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard versus Boston’s deep roster and strong defensive play. The Bucks’ potential addition of Middleton adds intrigue, but the Celtics’ ability to defend at an elite level gives them the edge at home.
Recent trends favor Boston, particularly at TD Garden, where they’ve been dominant. Milwaukee has struggled in head-to-head matchups this season, dropping both games by a combined margin of 17 points. Boston’s depth and defensive consistency should allow them to secure a third consecutive win over Milwaukee.
- Prediction: Boston Celtics 116, Milwaukee Bucks 108
