Tip‑off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Fiserv Forum — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Broadcast: NBC Sports Boston, FDSW / FanDuel Sports Network
Team Info
Boston Celtics (51–25)
1st in Atlantic Division, top tier in East.
Road record: 25–14.
Last game: 147–129 win vs Miami — shot 58.3% FG and 47.7% from three (21/44).
Last 10 games: 8–2, one of the hottest teams in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks (30–46)
3rd in Central Division, out of playoff picture and even doubtful for play‑in.
Home record: 17–21.
Last game: 119–113 loss vs Houston.
Last 10 games: 3–7, sliding down the standings.
Injury report
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum: back from absence and expected to play; just posted 25 points, 11 assists, 18 rebounds vs Miami.
No major new injuries reported in the preview pieces; rotation largely intact.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo: listed as out/away from team amid looming “divorce” rumors.
Bobby Portis: also listed among key absences.
(Exact official game‑day status should be confirmed closer to tip, but the analytical picture assumes Giannis and Portis are unavailable.)
Key player matchups
Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown vs. depleted Bucks front line
Tatum: 25 pts, 11 ast, 18 reb in the win over Miami; his return has “boosted” Boston’s overall ceiling.
Brown: 43 pts on 17‑of‑29 shooting vs Miami, plus 7 assists.
With Giannis and Portis out, Milwaukee has no comparable two‑way forwards to match this duo’s size, shot‑creation, and rebounding.
Myles Turner & Boston interior vs. Ousmane Dieng and Jericho Sims
Bucks’ last game: Ousmane Dieng had 36 pts and 10 ast; Jericho Sims grabbed 20 rebounds.
Celtics’ defense allows just 107.2 PPG, anchored by strong rim protection and rebounding (46.5 boards per game).
Boston’s interior size and structure should make Dieng’s life much harder than Houston did.
Perimeter shooting: Celtics’ spacing vs. Bucks’ defense
Celtics: 36.3% from three on massive volume (1,162/3,197), 114.4 PPG overall.
Bucks: allow 116.7 PPG; their defense has been leaky all season.
If Milwaukee can’t run Boston off the line, this can get out of hand quickly.
Series history
Recent head‑to‑head: Celtics 123, Bucks 113 in their last meeting.
Boston has generally had the upper hand in recent seasons, especially when Giannis is limited or absent.
Betting Trends
Celtics: 8–2 last 10, just dropped 147 on Miami with elite efficiency.
Bucks: 3–7 last 10, coming off another loss and dealing with off‑court uncertainty around Giannis.
Boston’s defense (107.2 allowed) vs Milwaukee’s offense (110.6 scored) also tilts the matchup toward a controlled, one‑sided game.
Game Odds
Boston Celtics – 16.5
Milwaukee Bucks 217.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 2, 2026
