Thursday, March 28, 2024
BougeRV Solar Generator

NBA Preview: Boston Celtics (52-24) at Milwaukee Bucks (55-21)

Even though the visiting Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks are the two NBA teams with the best records, Tuesday’s 130-111 loss to the undermanned Washington Wizards took away some of the excitement surrounding the game.

Many anticipated that the game on Thursday would significantly impact the selection of the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but with the Celtics (52-24) trailing the Bucks (55-21) by three games with six games remaining in each team’s regular season, that seems less likely to happen now.

In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, the second-seeded Celtics defeated the third-seeded Bucks 109-81 at home.

The significance of Boston’s home-court advantage was downplayed by Jayson Tatum, who returned from a one-game absence caused by a hip injury on Tuesday and scored 28 points.

By defeating the Indiana Pacers 149-136 in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Milwaukee increased its lead over Boston. Jrue Holiday scored 51 points, a career-high, for the Bucks, along with eight rebounds and eight assists.

At Indiana, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 38 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists for a triple-double.

In the game on Thursday, three of the NBA’s top 10 scorers will be on display: Antetokounmpo is fifth with 31.2 points per game, Tatum is sixth with 30.1, and Jaylen Brown of Boston is ninth with 26.8.

Antetokounmpo said before this week with respect to the Eastern Meeting race, “We ought to take the (No. 1) spot. Playing Game 7 at home always makes me feel good. I don’t recall ever hosting a Game 7 in my career. I’ve played three Game 7s, all of which were played on the road, if my memory serves me correctly; therefore, I believe that the ability to not only have the No. 1 seed in the East yet the best record in the NBA and have that home-court advantage against everyone ā€¦ that is a nice sentiment.”

Earlier this season, the Celtics and Bucks split two games, with each team winning at home. On Christmas Day, Tatum scored 41 points to help the Celtics win 139-118 in Boston. On Valentine’s Day, Holiday added 40 points to help Milwaukee win 131-125 in overtime. In the final game, the Celtics were without starters Tatum, Brown, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford.

Wager-Tracker: All Sports Betting Log

Related Articles

Sports Gaming Digest Sports Magazine

Latest Articles

5-Hour Energy