The Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks have split their first two meetings of the season. Who’ll have the upper hand after their game on Aug. 1 (630am Manila time)?

HOME TEAM: Milwaukee Bucks (52-12, 28-3 at home)

The Bucks have locked up the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Still, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company can use the remaining games in the regular season to get themselves into prime shape for the playoffs.

Milwaukee, who are 4-1 in their last five games against Boston, rank among the most balanced teams in the league. The Bucks are averaging an NBA-high 118.6 points per game, while their defense is top five, giving up just 107.4 per outing.

There is a possibility that point guard Eric Bledsoe won’t be able to play right away at Disney World, after recently testing positive for COVID-19, but head coach Mike Budenholzer saying he believes the veteran point guard will be okay by the time the season restarts on July 31, per Malika Andrews of ESPN.

ROAD TEAM: Boston Celtics (43-21, 17, 20-12 on the road)

Boston has also secured a playoff spot, but the Celtics’ mission is more than just making it past the regular season. A win by the Celtics again against Milwaukee would further show that they are a huge threat to the Bucks.

The Celtics won the first meeting with Milwaukee this season, 116-105, at home way back in October. Kemba Walker was all fired up in that game, torching the Bucks for 32 points while Jayson Tatum contributed 25 points. Walker also tore apart Miluwakee’s defense last January, when he scored 40 points, albeit in a 128-123 road loss.

The Celtics were in shaky form just before the season got paused, with just a 2-4 record in their last six games, though they won in their most recent game —  a 114-111 road victory against the Indiana Pacers.

PREDICTIONS:

Boston arrived at Disney World with a complete roster, something not all teams can brag about. That speaks volumes about how ready the Celtics are for the last stretch of the regular season. The Bucks are always tough to beat, but the Celtics will win this game, 108-103.