WHO: Celtics (21-23) vs. Bucks (29-14)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Fiserv Forum
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TV: ESPN
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Celtics
G: Kemba Walker
G: Marcus Smart
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Jaylen Brown
C: Robert Williams III
Bucks
G: Jrue Holiday
G: Donte DiVincenzo
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
The Boston Celtics (21-23, 20-24 ATS) end their two-game series in Milwaukee short-handed against the Bucks (29-14, 20-23 ATS) after adding Evan Fournier and losing Daniel Theis at the trade deadline. Fournier will not be available for tonight’s game at 7:30 EST.
Semi Ojeleye (hip), Tristan Thompson (COVID-19 protocol) and Romeo Langford (COVID-19 protocol) are also out for the Celtics.
PJ Tucker (toe) and Rodions Kurucs (COVID-19 protocol) will miss the game for the Bucks. Bryn Forbes (toe) missed Wednesday’s game.
According to the online sports book Betonline.ag, the Bucks are 6.0 point favorites.
- Celtics vs. Bucks spread: Bucks -6
- Celtics vs. Bucks over-under: 235 points
- Celtics vs. Bucks money line: Bucks -240, Celtics +200
The Skinny
The Robert Williams III era begins, for now, with what will likely mark his first start of the 2021 season since Daniel Theis is now a member of the Chicago Bulls. Tristan Thompson will miss the next two games, allowing Williams to cement his claim to the role and his first to assignments will include Giannis Antetokounmpo and Al Horford.
The Celtics effectively held Giannis to his worst game possible with 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting in his return from knee soreness. He played 33 minutes while Grant Williams won his minutes (+8) as a primary defender on him. Grant will receive his first chance to return to center this season when Giannis rotates inside.
Outside of the paint, Milwaukee started 10-of-19 from three in the first half and cooled down to 9-of-28 in the second half as Boston stormed back from down 25 points to within two late. Kemba Walker converted 8-of-16 for 23 points, continuing his success against the Bucks during his first two seasons in Boston. Jayson Tatum struggled mildly, Jaylen Brown thrived and Marcus Smart was again a no-show from the field, particularly late.
Smart will need to step up most Evan Fournier unavailable, as his fourth quarter efficiency has dipped to 28.3% in final frames on the worst fourth quarter team in the league.
Prediction
It’s hard to trust the Celtics’ firepower and defensive aptitude tonight to stop the Bucks. Wednesday’s loss marked the best defensive performance for Boston since suffocating the Nuggets to 99 points in mid-February. Now Williams III has to survive for 30 minutes as the main interior Giannis deterrent.
Helping off shooters hurt the Celtics in the first half and built a significant deficit that Kemba Walker needed to play his best basketball to counteract. Brown and he have contributed inconsistent efforts due to health, while Tatum is well over a month into his shooting slump.
Moe Wagner and Luke Kornet may play for Boston tonight, but both appear to provide size without defense. Wagner has almost as many career fouls as defensive rebounds (291-271). Williams III will need to have a dominant performance for the C’s to even compete.
Milwaukee 125, Boston 107 (20–17, 14-20 ATS)
