Celtics vs Bucks: Prediction, odds, where to watch

The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Boston Celtics on Thursday night in one of the season's most interesting matchups as it features the Eastern Conference's two best teams.

The matchup is important for the playoff picture. The Bucks (55-21) are at the top of the conference, three games ahead of the Celtics. However, Boston (52-24) could narrow the gap with a victory.

Considering that both teams have six games left in the regular season, the game will be the last opportunity for Boston to try to get to the top of the East.

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The Celtics vs. Bucks matchup will determine the tiebreaker between Milwaukee and Boston

The Milwaukee Bucks have won the Central Division and will therefore have a tiebreaker over any other team in the East that's not a division winner. However, the Boston Celtics will also likely win the Atlantic Division, which is why the head-to-head record between the teams would determine a tiebreaker.

The two teams have played twice against each other in the 2022-23 season, with each team winning one game. That is why the final matchup of the season matters the most.

The Celtics versus Bucks will determine the playoff tiebreaker. (Image via Getty Images)

At 30-7, the Bucks have the best home record in the East. While this puts the Celtics at a big disadvantage, it's important to note that the Bucks will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

They played in Indiana against the Pacers on Wednesday night, but it was a blowout win (149-136), and no player played more than 32 minutes.

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The Bucks may also be without Jae Crowder and Khris Middleton, who are listed as day-to-day. Due to this, we pick the Boston Celtics to win Thursday night's matchup. If they come up with a victory, they will be two games behind the Bucks and will have a chance to get to the top of the conference.

In their first matchup of the season, the Celtics won by 21 points (139-118 on Christmas). The second matchup was much closer, but Milwaukee ended up winning it by six points in overtime (131-125 on Feb. 14).

The Bucks will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back .(Image via Getty Images)

Here are the odds for the upcoming matchup:

• Spread: Bucks -3
• Over/under: 236.5 points
• Money line: Bucks -155, Celtics +130

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The Celtics versus Bucks game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. It will be broadcast on TNT and basketball fans will also be able to watch it on NBA League Pass.