Betting Results:
Head to Head: Celtics, odds 1.299
Line: Bucks (8.5), odds 1.901
Total Points: Under (229), odds 1.901

Pre-game Prediction:
Celtics, 70.2%
Bucks, 29.8%

We tipped Middleton in Assists this game and it was another winning NBA pick for the Jump Hub team.

Jayson Tatum scores 34, Celtics beat Bucks 111-105 to spoil Khris Middleton's season debut

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer The Associated Press BOSTON

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Bucks 111-105 on Friday night in Khris Middelton's season debut for Milwaukee.

Jaylen Brown added 25 points as the Celtics made 17 3-pointers to earn their 10th victory in 11 games.

Damian Lillard finished with 31 points for Milwaukee, which has lost two straight since winning a season-best seven in a row. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 points and 11 rebounds on his 30th birthday.

Middleton had 11 points and five assists in 23 minutes after missing the Bucks’ first 21 games while recovering from offseason ankle surgeries.

Boston led 107-102 after a floater by Jrue Holiday when Brown was whistled for a foul on a 3-point attempt by Middleton, who hit all three free throws.

Two free throws by Holiday put Boston ahead 109-105. Antetokounmpo then turned it over, leading to a layup by Al Horford.

Takeaways

Bucks: Middleton’s return marked only the 43rd time that he, Antetokounmpo and Lillard have played together. How well the recently surging Bucks can integrate Middleton could determine their prospects of contending in the East.

Celtics: This was another statement win for a team that has beaten the Bucks in all three meetings this season.

Key moment

The back-and-forth antics between Antetokounmpo and Brown added another chapter Friday. Early in the third quarter, Antetokounmpo leaned his shoulder into Brown as Antetokounmpo passed by on his way to throw the ball inbounds. Brown then returned the favor he ran up the court and was whistled for a technical foul. The exchange followed a similar incident during Boston’s Nov. 10 win at Milwaukee.

Key stat

The game featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes. Neither team led by more than eight points.

This is how we previewed this game....

Celtics to win easily, back them to beat the spread

Celtics and Bucks are huge local rivals, regularly facing each other in Eastern Conference Finals, fans of each team carry the rivalry with a passion.

We've reviewed the top 6 NBA picks sites, trawling through their pages, so you don't have to!

Dimers - predicting a 118-110 win for the Celtics on their home court against Eastern Conference rivals Milwaukee. A bet on the Celtics (-7.5) at current odds of 1.88, would be a winner.
Clutch Points - tbc
Pickswise - picking the Bucks on the moneyline is a brave line to take, odds of 3.50 are generally available if you are feeling brave.
Sportskeeda - predicting a Celtics (-7.5) and an Over (229.5) total points bet.
Betting Odds - forecasting a 118-110 win for Boston, and a Celtics (-7.5) bet, Giannis and Tatum both to score over 5.5 Assists.
Sportsline - tipping a 122-109 win for Boston, so going braver than the rest, and a strong Celtic 7.5 bet.

We're tipping Celtics (-7.5) with a player props bet further down this page. Max bet on Celtics -7.5 is our recommendation.

Player Prop Tips

Keeping it simple today, focusing on the Assists Market.

Khris Middleton: Over 2.5 Assists at odds of 1.80. Middleton averages 5.2 assists, beating his mark in 8 of his last 13 against top 3rd defense on the road. We recommend a 3-point bet.