Celtics vs. Bucks Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 25 (Eastern Conference Foes Go Toe to Toe at TD Garden)

Celtics vs. Bucks Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 25 (Eastern Conference Foes Go Toe to Toe at TD Garden)

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Celtics vs. Bucks Game Info

  • Date: Sunday, December 25, 2022
  • Time: 5:00 PM ET
  • Venue: TD Garden -- Boston, Massachusetts
  • Coverage: ABC and ESPN

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Sunday with five more games, including a battle between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. The Bucks rank second in the Eastern Conference with a 12-10 record, while the Celtics check in first with a 23-10 record. This Christmas game could go either way.

Milwaukee enters as a loser in three of its last five games following a 118-100 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Meanwhile, Boston ended its four-game home losing streak with a 121-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Which Eastern Conference contender will win on Sunday?

Celtics vs. Bucks Odds & Spread

Celtics vs Bucks Betting Information
Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline
Celtics -5 - - 225.5 -110 -110 -184 154
  • All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
  • Moneyline: BOS: (-184) | MIL: (+156)
  • Spread: BOS: -5 (-110) | MIL: +5 (-110)
  • Total: 225 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Celtics enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 5 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 225 points, which is below average compared to Sunday's projected totals.

Celtics vs. Bucks Betting Trends

  • The Celtics have covered the spread 16 times this season (16-14-2).
  • This season, 15 of the Celtics' games have gone over the point total out of 30 chances.
  • Bucks games this year have gone over the point total 15 times in 30 opportunities (50%).
  • Against the spread, Boston has played better at home, covering nine times in 16 home games, and seven times in 16 road games.
  • In 2022-23 against the spread, Milwaukee has a better winning percentage at home (.706, 12-5-0 record) than away (.308, 4-8-1).

Celtics vs. Bucks Prediction & Pick

It doesn't get much better than watching the two best teams in the NBA duke it out on Christmas Day. It's worth noting this is also the first time since last postseason's Eastern Conference Finals that the Bucks and Celtics meet head-to-head. Expect Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum to ball out.

Boston's slump can be attributed to shakiness on both ends of the court. The Celtics have allowed an opponent three-point shooting percentage of 40.0% over the last three games (No. 24 in NBA) and have turned the ball over 46 times during that span (No. 20 in NBA). That's not a good combination.

Milwaukee has to have revenge on its mind in this matchup, so I'll take the Bucks to squeak out a win.

Final Score Prediction: Celtics: 111 | Bucks: 114

Celtics vs. Bucks Best Bet

Backing the Bucks as a 5-point underdog is the best bet here. Boston is just 1-5-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven games overall and 1-4 ATS in its last five home games. Friday night's win was the Celtics' first home victory by more than five points in the month of December. It had been a while.

Boston is also 2-6 ATS in its last eight games against a Central Division opponent. On the other side, Milwaukee is a respectable 17-13-2 ATS on the season. It is searching for its first win at TD Garden since 2018 and I wouldn't underestimate Giannis' desire to make a statement on national television.

Bet: Milwaukee Bucks +5 (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.