Two premiere East teams clash in what should be a fun showdown. Can the Milwaukee Bucks hand the Boston Celtics their first home loss this season?
Catch the game tomorrow at 8:30 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Milwaukee Bucks (10-4, 4-3 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Damian Lillard
- Malik Beasley
- Khris Middleton
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Brook Lopez
The Bucks are riding high having won each of their last five games. They are averaging an eye-popping 130 points per game in that span, alongside a winning margin of 15.2 points.
As per usual, Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing like a workhorse while leading a strong Bucks offense. He has back-to-back 40-point performances, posting 41.0/14.5/7.5/1.0/1.5 on 77.6% shooting in his last two games.
We’ll see how all that momentum can stack up against an elite defense and while on the road. His partner in crime, blockbuster off-season acquisition Damian Lillard, is off to a rough start, scoring just 24.3 points on 39.5% shooting. The matchup with the guy he replaced, defensive ace Jrue Holiday, should still be a good watch, though.
Lillard’s terrible shot efficiency is being offset by Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez all playing their roles right, which may come off easy since they’ve been Milwaukee’s core for years now. Middleton may be the most commendable, as he is a recent All-Star and longtime second fiddle, who accepted a decreased role.
HOME: Boston Celtics (11-3, 5-0 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Jrue Holiday
- Derrick White
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Kristaps Porzingis
The Celtics will be coming off an overtime loss to the lowly Charlotte Hornets this past Tuesday, 121-118, which snapped their six-game winning streak.
But, of course, the Celtics are still a top squad in the league, and they’ll be eager to release some of the frustration. They are elite on both ends, as seen in blasting 117.2 PPG while allowing just 106.6 per game. Through that end-to-end prowess, they are one of the few teams currently ranked inside the top five in offensive and defensive rating.
They may have the most complete starting five in the league too, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown being a deadly scoring duo, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White being two-way guards, and big man Kristaps Porzingis (19.5 PPG, 1.9 BPG, career-high 54.8 FG%) protecting the paint and stretching the floor.
Tatum leads the team in scoring at 28.2 PPG, with Brown backing him up through 21.3 PPG. They look to be in a duel against Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
PREDICTION:
Handicap: The Celtics (-5.5) don’t cover.
Over/Under: The total goes over 235.
