NBA Matchup: Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics
Date: 25 December 2021
Time: 2:30 ET
The Boston Celtics will try to overcome the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, December 25, 2021, at Fiserv Forum. Both teams have faced each other twice this season where both games have been won by the Boston Celtics.
Milwaukee Bucks season so far
The Milwaukee Bucks have had an incredible season so far after a slow start. The Bucks are currently third in the east with a record of 21 wins and 13 losses. Milwaukee is seventh averaging 110.3 ppg, 18th shooting 45.1% from the field, and 10th in the NBA nailing 35.7% of their threes. On the defensive end, Milwaukee is 13th allowing 106.9 ppg. They are also fifth grabbing 36.4 defensive rebounds per game.
Holiday Hoopin’
24 PTS | 7 REB | 7 AST pic.twitter.com/Pm02yj1G1P
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 24, 2021
With Antetokounmpo out, Khris Middleton is the leading scorer averaging 18 points, 5.1 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.3 from beyond the arc. Jrue Holiday has also been incredible for the Bucks as he has averaged 22 points, 7.6 assists and 4 rebounds.
Boston Celtics season so far
Boston Celtics defeated the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 win on Wednesday. Jaylen Brown led the Celts with 34 points in the win and Robert Williams III had 21 points on 10 of 12 shootings, with 11 rebounds and seven assists. Jayson Tatum struggled from the field going 6 of 19, with 18 points and nine rebounds. On the season Boston is 14th averaging 108.4 ppg whereas defensively they are also in the middle of the pack allowing 107.1 ppg.
???? Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) set the tone for the @celtics with 34 points in the win! pic.twitter.com/T08kNVSHYB
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2021
Boston Celtics are led by another great season by Jayson Tatum who is averaging 25.6 ppg, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Tatum is great from three-point range for the Celtics, knocking down 2.8 threes per game. With Tatum, Jaylen Brown is next with 22.4 ppg, but he has missed 14 games this season.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics Match Prediction
The Milwaukee Bucks have historically played poorly on Christmas Day and we expect a similar result when the Boston Celtics come to town. The Celtics defeated the Bucks 117-103 in their last meeting behind Jayson Tatum’s 42 points. Another element working against the Bucks is the absence of Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo who has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The Bucks are 4-4 without Giannis this season but they’ll have a tough time containing Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Boston should win this game and defeat the Milwaukee Bucks convincingly.
Injury Report
Milwaukee Bucks
Donte DiVincenzo – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 25
Bobby Portis C Covid-19 Expected to be out until at least Dec 25
Sandro Mamukelashvili PF Illness Expected to be out until at least Dec 25
Giannis Antetokounmpo PF Covid-19 Expected to be out until at least Dec 25
Brook Lopez C Back Expected to be out until at least Mar 1
Boston Celtics
Enes Kanter – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
Sam Hauser – Covid-19 – Game Time Decision
Juancho Hernangomez – Covid-19 – Game Time Decision
Jabari Parker – Covid-19 – Game Time Decision
Al Horford – Covid-19 – Game Time Decision
Grant Williams – Covid-19 – Game Time Decision
Josh Richardson – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 27
Brodric Thomas – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 27
How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics?
The Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The game will also be available on the NBA’s League Pass platform.
Also read: NBA Injury Update: When Will Anthony Davis Return From MCL Sprain?