Bucks vs Celtics Game 6 Odds, Picks and Preview

• The Bucks vs Celtics Game 6 odds favor Milwaukee by 1.5 points on Friday, May 13 at 7:30pm ET
• Milwaukee leads the best-of-7 series 3-2, after a come from behind win in Game 5
• Read below for the Bucks vs Celtics odds, analysis, and betting prediction

The Boston Celtics have to be kicking themselves. They had the defending champs on the ropes in Game 5,  but just couldn’t put them away. Boston blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead to Milwaukee on Wednesday and now have to go on the road and pick up a victory in Game 6 on Friday to keep their season alive.

As we’ll explore a little later on history is not on the Celtics side. Oddsmakers appear to agree, as they’ve installed the Bucks as the home chalk.

Celtics vs Bucks Odds

Odds as of May 12th from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Milwaukee is currently a 1.5-point favorite, in a contest that features a total of 211. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm ET at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

As for the series market, the Bucks are now -240 favorites to advance to the conference final, while the Celtics are a +200 ‘dog to move on. Milwaukee checks in with the third shortest price tag in the NBA Championship odds at +425, while Boston has been lengthened to +850.

Bucks vs Celtics Injury News

The Bucks were victorious in Game 6 despite missing Khris Middleton once again. Milwaukee’s second leading scorer has now missed eight straight games with an MCL sprain, and reports of him potentially returning for Game 6 earlier this week now seem far fetched.

Mike Budenholzer has no new update on Khris Middleton but said he's "optimistic". Said Middleton is still progressing and did some work on the court. #Bucks

— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) May 11, 2022

Middleton has progressed to doing on court work in practice but is still a longshot to play on Friday. A Game 7 return seems a little more plausible, but there’s been no official word from the team.

The Celtics, on the other hand, were without starting center Robert Williams III for the second straight outing in Game 5. Williams is still suffering from knee soreness, and was listed questionable leading up to the contest before being ruled out before tip-off.

The Celtics need Robert Williams back for Game 6. His absence was the difference tonight.

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) May 12, 2022

Boston is hopeful he can go in Game 6, but right now his official injury status is day-to-day.

Bucks vs Celtics Betting Analysis

Milwaukee’s fourth quarter comeback was tied for the largest lead the Celtics have blown in a playoff game in the past two and a half decades.

The Celtics led by 14 points in the 4th quarter tonight and lost.

That is tied for Boston's largest blown lead in the 4th quarter of a playoff game over the last 25 postseasons. pic.twitter.com/iJIA4ISOBV

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 12, 2022

The Bucks splashed six three’s in the frame en route to outscoring Boston 33-21, but the game will be remembered most for Jrue Holiday’s defense. With Milwaukee leading by one with eight seconds remaining, Holiday blocked Marcus Smart and came away with the ball.

WHAT A BLOCK BY JRUE HOLIDAY.

AND HE EARNS THE POSSESSION 🤯

6.6 left on TNT pic.twitter.com/zombWL9ipA

— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2022

The Bucks extended their lead to three with six seconds left, and then Holiday proceeded to steal the ball from Smart as he was driving up court for a potential game-tying shot.

Holiday is the first player over the past 25 postseasons to record a block and a steal over the final 10 seconds of a playoff game, and ironically both came at the expense of the reigning defensive player of the year.

Offensively, Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had a monster night. He scored 40 points on 16-of-27 shooting, while also grabbing 11 rebounds.

Holiday added 24 points of his own along with eight rebounds and eight assists, while Bobby Portis chipped in with 14 points and 15 boards.

BIG BUCKET BY BOBBY!! pic.twitter.com/GImsaKV1bP

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 12, 2022

The Bucks shot just 43.5% from the field in Game 5, but made up for it on the offensive glass. They grabbed 17 offensive boards compared to only five by the Celtics, which led to a plethora of second chance opportunities.

Boston outplayed Milwaukee for the first three and a half quarters, but despite shooting 51.2% are now in big trouble.

Bucks vs Celtics Pick

Teams that win Game 5 when tied 2-2 have gone to win the series 82.2% of the time in NBA postseason history (180-39). To make matters worse for the Celtics is the fact that Milwaukee has been fantastic at home both during the regular season and in the playoffs.

Milwaukee was 27-14 at home during the regular season, and is 13-3 at the Fiserv Forum over the past two postseasons.

WHAT A COMEBACK.

THE BUCKS TAKE THE SERIES LEAD 🦌 pic.twitter.com/Tx7kEzdOYz

— ESPN (@espn) May 12, 2022

Boston had their chance to put the champs on the ropes and they couldn’t close the deal. Now look for the Bucks to make them pay the ultimate price in Game 6.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 (-110)