The Milwaukee Bucks head home to host Game 5 of this thrilling series against the Boston Celtics. The series is tied at 2-2, making Thursday’s showdown an especially crucial one.
Catch this game live on Thursday, May 12, at 7 AM, Manila time
Away: Milwaukee Bucks (2-2/1-1 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Wesley Matthews
- SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- PF: Bobby Portis
- C: Brook Lopez
This time, having Giannis Antetokounmpo was not enough for the Bucks, as the 2-time league MVP saw his production go to waste. Antetokounmpo produced 34 points with 18 rebounds and 5 assists in 41 minutes in Game 4. If anything, Antetokounmpo has proven over and over again that he can have his way even against Boston’s stout defense. He is averaging 32.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists through four games in the second round. What the Bucks need is for the others to elevate their production, and they could see that in Game 5 when they face a potentially more fatigued Celtics squad that had a very short rotation in Game 4. (The Celtics went just 8-man deep in that contest.)
Al Horford embarrassed the Bucks in the last game, but after playing 42 minutes and taking on an expanded role due to Robert Williams’ absence, there might not be enough time for the veteran to fully recover. Game 5 also brings hope that Bobby Portis will rebound from his paltry 4-point outing. Portis scored just 13 points in the last two games after generating 28 in Games 1 and 2 combined. The Bucks are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games after a loss.
Home: Boston Celtics (2-2/1-1 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Marcus Smart
- SG: Jaylen Brown
- SF: Jayson Tatum
- PF: Al Horford
- C: Robert Williams III (questionable)
Horford continues to amaze the Celtics. After going off for 22 points in Game 3, the former Florida Gators star dropped a 30-piece on the Bucks, who should be embarrassed they allowed an NBA senior citizen to carve them up like that at home. Less embarrassing — but just as damaging — for the Bucks was Jayson Tatum’s return to form in Game 4, as he rebounded from a salty shooting night in Game 3 by recording 30 points on 11/24 shooting from the field while also snaring down 13 boards. We’re not sure how long will the potion Horford drank would last, but in any case, the Celtics’ defense seems to be consistently working.
The Bucks connected on just a shade over 40% of their field-goal attempts in the last two games. They were also atrocious from deep in that stretch, with a 29.5 3FG%. Williams, who sat out Game 4 with some soreness in his left knee, is expected to suit up for Game 5, and that’s no good news for the Bucks. A Time Lord reappearance would push Grant Williams, owner of the worst defensive rating in the playoffs among Celtics players, back to the bench and re-insert Robert Williams to the starting unit. The former Texas A&M Aggie is leading Boston players with at least 2.0 MPG in this postseason with a 98.1 defensive rating. The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday (Manila) games.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Bucks cover (+5.5).
Over/Under: The Over (214.0) hits.
