The Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks are heading in opposite directions in the standings, but they will be sharing the same court for this matchup at Fiserv Forum in Cream City. Will the Celtics add to Milwaukee’s woes? Or, will the Bucks score a much-needed victory to end a losing streak and give the team some positive news amid rumors off the court?

Catch this game live on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 12, Manila time

Away: Boston Celtics (15-9, 7-5 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Payton Pritchard
  • Derrick White
  • Jaylen Brown
  • Jordan Walsh
  • Neemias Queta

The Celtics are finding their groove, having won all their last five games. Their undefeated run becomes even more impressive when reviewing the teams they have beaten along the way. Four of their victims over that stretch were teams many expect to make the NBA Playoffs, as they took down the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and most recently, the Toronto Raptors. 

Over the same five-game span, the Celtics topped the NBA in both offensive rating (133.8 offensive rating) and effective field goal percentage (62.9%). In other words, this isn’t an ideal opponent for a Bucks side that is struggling to get by without Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Celtics are 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread in their last three regular-season meetings with Milwaukee.

Home: Milwaukee Bucks (10-15, 7-7 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Kevin Porter Jr.
  • Ryan Rollins
  • AJ Green (DTD)
  • Myles Turner
  • Jericho Sims

Life without Giannis Antetokounmpo is tough for the Bucks. The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player is expected to miss several games due to a calf injury. The Bucks have lost their last two games without Antetokounmpo, whose rumored trade desire could also be affecting the rest of the team beyond his absence. 

In Milwaukee’s last outing, it lost to the Detroit Pistons on the road, 124-112. But one thing that’s going for the Bucks is that they will have fresher legs than usual for the meeting with Boston. The Pistons game took place last Sunday, giving Milwaukee four full days of rest. That must be beneficial AJ Green, whose status is still up in the air at the time of this writing because of a shoulder issue, though Doc Rivers sounded optimistic about the guard’s chances of returning from a one-game absence.

The Bucks have won seven of their last 10 home games against Boston, dating back to 2020.

PICKS

Spread: Milwaukee Bucks (+9.0)
Over/Under: Over (225.5)