The Boston Celtics (15-9) roll into Milwaukee riding a hot streak, aiming to exploit the Bucks’ (10-15) ongoing struggles without Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the Celtics winning four of their last five and fresh off a victory over the Bucks just five days ago, this rematch at Fiserv Forum could turn into a rout if Milwaukee’s makeshift lineup can’t contain Boston’s balanced attack. The Bucks, mired in a 1-4 skid over their last five, lean heavily on Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis, but Boston’s depth and perimeter defense (holding opponents to 35.8% from three) should dictate a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. Expect Jaylen Brown to feast in the paint against a depleted Milwaukee frontcourt.
Venue Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (capacity: 17,341). The Bucks are 7-7 at home this season but have lost three of their last four in Milwaukee, including a 111-105 defeat to Boston on Dec. 6.
Tipoff; 8:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast on FDS Wisconsin and NBC Sports Boston, with streaming on NBA League Pass and ESPN+.
Injury Report
Injuries are a major storyline, with Milwaukee severely hampered by Antetokounmpo’s extended absence, thinning their interior presence. Boston has some depth concerns but enters relatively healthy, though long-term questions linger for Jayson Tatum. Latest updates from Wednesday’s practices:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Celtics | Jayson Tatum | F | Out | Achilles | Long-term absence since last playoffs; 28.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG prior. Brown and White carry load. |
| Celtics | Chris Boucher | C | Out | Illness (Non-COVID) | DNP; backup big averages 6.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG. |
| Celtics | Ron Harper Jr. | G | Out | Right Knee (Sprain) | Two-way contract; injured in G-League, out indefinitely. |
| Celtics | Amari Williams | F | Out | Right Hand (Hairline Fracture) | Two-way; G-League injury, missed last 10 games. |
| Celtics | Derrick White | G | Available | None | Full practice; 18.2 PPG, 4.5 APG in Tatum’s absence. |
| Celtics | Jaylen Brown | F | Available | None | Ready; scorching 29.8 PPG over last five. |
| Bucks | Giannis Antetokounmpo | F | Out | Right Calf (Strain) | 2-4 weeks sidelined; 30.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG. Expected back late December. |
| Bucks | Taurean Prince | F | Out | Neck | DNP; wing depth hit, 8.1 PPG off bench. |
| Bucks | AJ Green | G | Questionable | Shoulder | Limited practice; day-to-day, 7.3 PPG in spot minutes. |
| Bucks | Damian Lillard | G | Available | None | Full go; 24.6 PPG, but 38.2% FG in last five. |
| Bucks | Bobby Portis | F | Available | None | Key starter sans Giannis; 18.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG recently. |
Milwaukee’s frontcourt relies on Portis and Brook Lopez, but Boston’s switchable defense could overwhelm them. Tatum’s absence forces more from Brown, easing pressure on Milwaukee’s perimeter.
Player Matchups
These pivotal battles could define the game’s flow, with Boston’s stars facing a Bucks squad desperate for stops:
Celtics F Jaylen Brown vs. Bucks F Bobby Portis
Brown (29.8 PPG last five, 51.2% FG) has torched Milwaukee for 28+ in three of last four meetings. Portis (18.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG) steps up as the primary scorer inside without Giannis, but his defensive rating (112.4) balloons against elite wings. If Brown hits 25+, Boston pulls away early.
Bucks G Damian Lillard vs. Celtics G Derrick White
Lillard (24.6 PPG, 6.8 APG) needs a bounce-back after shooting 38.2% lately, facing White’s pesky on-ball defense (1.8 SPG). White (18.2 PPG, 2.1 SPG) has held lead guards under 20 points in four of six. Lillard’s deep threes (36.5%) test Boston’s closeouts.
Celtics G Jrue Holiday vs. Bucks G Gary Trent Jr.
Holiday (16.4 PPG, 4.9 APG) exploits mismatches in transition, where Milwaukee ranks 22nd (12.8 fast-break PPG allowed). Trent Jr. (14.2 PPG, 39.1% 3PT) provides spacing but struggles defensively (1.1 SPG). Holiday’s playmaking shines in half-court sets.
Bucks C Brook Lopez vs. Celtics C Al Horford
Lopez (12.5 PPG, 2.4 BPG) anchors the rim but faces Horford’s versatility (10.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG). Horford’s switchability neutralizes pick-and-pops, limiting Lopez to 8.3 PPG vs. top-10 defenses. Double-doubles loom for both.
Celtics G Payton Pritchard vs. Bucks Bench
Pritchard (12.8 PPG off bench, 42.1% 3PT) sparks second units, targeting Milwaukee’s reserves (28.4 bench PPG, 27th). His recent 15+ outings highlight value in a high-pace game (projected 102 possessions).
Boston’s edges in athleticism and depth favor them, especially without Giannis.
Team Records
Boston Celtics: 15-9 (3rd in Eastern Conference)
7-5 on the road, averaging 118.4 PPG (6th) while allowing 110.2 (5th). Elite from three (38.7%, 2nd) and rebounding (+4.1 margin), with a +8.2 net rating. 9-6 ATS.
Milwaukee Bucks: 10-15 (10th in Eastern Conference)
7-7 at home, averaging 112.6 PPG (20th) and allowing 116.8 (24th). Turnover-prone (-1.5 margin) and poor from deep (35.1%, 25th), sitting 2-8 in last 10.
Boston sweeps the season series tiebreaker so far (1-0).
Recent Team Forms
The Celtics are surging with four wins in five, showcasing offensive firepower and defensive grit. The Bucks, conversely, have dropped three of four, outscored by 8.2 PPG in losses without Giannis.
| Celtics Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| @ TOR | Dec 7 | Away | W 121-113 | Brown 30 PTS, 8 REB; 47.8% FG, hold rally to 8-pt win. |
| vs. MIL | Dec 6 | Home | W 111-105 | White 22 PTS, 6 AST; Defense limits Bucks to 42.1% FG. |
| vs. DET | Dec 4 | Home | W 146-101 | White 30 PTS, 9 AST; Blowout with 20 3s made. |
| vs. MIA | Dec 2 | Home | W 123-117 | Brown 42 PTS; Overcome 2nd-half surge. |
| @ CLE | Dec 1 | Away | L 111-115 | Pritchard 28 PTS; Close loss, 12 TOs hurt. |
Form Notes: 4-1, outscored foes 122-109. Five-game win streak snapped? No, four straight entering this after Dec 1 loss; road prowess (3-2 last five away).
| Bucks Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| @ DET | Dec 6 | Away | L 112-124 | Porter Jr. 32 PTS; 46.2% FG but 18 TOs. |
| vs. PHI | Dec 5 | Home | L 101-116 | Portis 22 PTS, 9 REB; Bench outscored 61-32. |
| vs. DET | Dec 3 | Home | W 113-109 | Porter Jr. 26 PTS; Clutch win, force 15 TOs. |
| @ WSH | Dec 1 | Away | L 126-129 | Lillard 28 PTS, 7 AST; OT heartbreaker. |
| vs. BKN | Nov 29 | Home | W 116-99 | Antetokounmpo 29 PTS (pre-injury); Dominant D. |
Form Notes: 1-4, outscored 114-118. Home losses mounting (1-3 last four); offense dips to 107.5 PPG without Giannis.
Series History
All-time, the Celtics lead 121-112 in 233 regular-season meetings, with Boston holding a 7-3 edge in the last 10 (average score: 118.1-110.9, 229 total points). The Bucks won four of the last seven before Boston’s recent surge, including a 104-91 victory on Apr. 9, 2024. In Milwaukee, it’s tighter (Bucks 62-54 all-time home), but Celtics are 4-1 in last five visits. Overs have hit in 6 of 10 (average 229 points), driven by transition and three-point volume. Boston’s 111-105 win on Dec. 6 tips the 2025-26 series 1-0.
Betting Trends
Spread: 76% of bets/82% of handle on Celtics -8.5 (public piling on Boston’s streak). Celtics 7-3 ATS last 10 vs. Central Division; Bucks 3-7 ATS without Giannis.
Total: 62% bets on Over 223.5 (88% handle), as 8 of 10 series games topped 220 and Celtics games average 228.6 combined. Under cashed in 5 of Bucks’ last 7 home games.
Moneyline: 78% bets on Celtics, but Bucks +310 value as home dogs (4-6 SU). Celtics 12-3 SU as road favorites.
Key Trends: Boston 6-2 ATS in last 8 road vs. East; Milwaukee 1-5 ATS in last 6 without Antetokounmpo. Sharp action fading Bucks’ public support.
Game Odds
Boston Celtics – 9.5
Milwaukee Bucks 223.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 10, 2025
