The NBA’s February slate tips off in Beantown, as the Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.
The Bucks (18–28, 12th East) have lost seven of their last eight games, coming off a double-digit loss to the lowly Wizards on Thursday and spinning out of control as Giannis Antetokounmpo nurses another calf strain. Meanwhile, the Celtics (30–18, 3rd East) have won six of their last nine and are coming off Friday’s dominant win over the Kings.
The teams first met on Dec. 11 in Milwaukee, where the Bucks rolled to a 116–101 victory — notably, without the “Greek Freak.”
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Milwaukee Bucks
- Out: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Calf), Kevin Porter Jr. (Oblique), Taurean Prince (Neck)
- Probable: Gary Harris (Hamstring)
Boston Celtics
- Out: Jayson Tatum (Achilles)
Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Boston enters as a heavy 13.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Milwaukee sits as a +525 underdog. The game’s total is set at 217.5 points.
Bucks vs. Celtics Preview
Milwaukee Bucks Preview
The Bucks are approaching a dark day in franchise history: a looming divorce with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the two-time MVP is “ready for a new home” ahead of next week’s trade deadline, and Milwaukee has begun fielding aggressive offers for its franchise cornerstone.
Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo has once again been hampered by injuries and is currently sidelined with a calf strain. The Bucks have completely unraveled in his absence, posting a brutal 3–13 record with just one road win. With Giannis on the floor, Milwaukee owns the NBA’s best offensive rating; without him, that mark plummets to a league-worst.
It also hasn’t helped that Kevin Porter Jr., the team’s second leading scorer, is also out with an oblique strain. Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Celtics, Milwaukee will lean on Ryan Rollins, Bobby Portis, and Kyle Kuzma — hardly an inspiring “big three.”
Boston Celtics Preview
The Celtics are coming off Friday’s 19-point rout of the Kings, taking swings at the Western Conference punching bag while Jaylen Brown sat out with an injury. The All-Star starter will return to the lineup against the Bucks, revitalizing one of the league’s most formidable contenders.
Brown, who’s averaging 29.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, anchors Boston’s slow, methodical attack, which ranks second in both offensive and net rating. Bolstered by sharpshooters Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Anfernee Simons, and Payton Pritchard, the Celtics trail only the Warriors for the most made three-pointers per game.
Defensively, Boston has allowed the NBA’s second-fewest points per game, while holding opponents to the third-lowest field-goal percentage. Even in Jayson Tatum’s absence, the team’s deep, balanced roster has remained a perennial title contender, well-equipped to capitalize against weaker opponents.
Bucks vs. Celtics Pick, Best Bet
The only game that Milwaukee has won on the road without Giannis Antetokounmpo was at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the conference-worst Pacers. While Indiana fell apart after Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles, Boston has held strong in Tatum’s absence.
With the home crowd behind them, count on the Celtics to show that December’s debacle in Milwaukee was nothing more than a fluke, cruising to a dominant win on Sunday afternoon.
