Celtics vs. Bucks odds, line, spread: 2020 NBA picks, July 31 predictions from proven model on 52-32 roll
Eastern Conference contenders meet up on Friday in a highly-anticipated matchup as the Boston Celtics take on the Milwaukee Bucks at 6:30 p.m. ET in the Orlando NBA bubble. The Celtics are one of the most balanced teams in the East, and they are hoping to have Kemba Walker (knee) in some capacity on Friday. The Bucks, who went into the shutdown up 6.5 games in the Eastern Conference standings, are powered by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ranks third in the NBA in both scoring (29.6 ppg) and rebounding (13.7 ppg).
William Hill lists Milwaukee as a 4.5-point favorite, down half a point from the opening Bucks vs. Celtics line. The over-under for total points expected is 220. Before locking in any Celtics vs. Bucks picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it's already returned over $4,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks during the 2019-20 season. It also was a blistering 52-32 on all top-rated NBA spread picks before the coronavirus shutdown, returning almost $1,700 on those picks alone. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Bucks. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Bucks vs. Celtics:
• BOS: Celtics are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games
Why the Celtics can cover
Boston is a top-five team in offensive and defensive efficiency. Jayson Tatum's success as a breakout star was central in its development, with the talented forward making a genuine leap as an efficient, productive scorer.
The Celtics are also stacked with other talent, namely in the form of Walker and Jaylen Brown, and few teams can match their perimeter firepower. Boston also takes care of the ball, committing turnovers on only 13.4 percent of possessions. The Celtics will need to maximize possessions against a highly-effective Bucks defense, and the team's off-dribble shooting capability could be crucial against Milwaukee's length and rim protection.
Why the Bucks can cover
The Bucks are a tremendous two-way team, with the best defense in basketball and a top-five overall offense. Though scheme and balance are a part of that formula, Milwaukee relies heavily on the presence of the MVP front-runner, Antetokounmpo.
The 25-year-old is averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game and, on top of that, Antetokounmpo is a leading candidate for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. It is possible that Milwaukee could limit his minutes, at least to some extent, in the seeding games, but Antetokounmpo is a one-man wrecking crew who presents problems for any opponent, including Boston.
How to make Celtics vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, with Tatum and Brook Lopez projected to exceed their scoring averages. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Bucks? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Bucks vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
