Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/03/2026

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, April 3, 2026

Venue:  Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI 

Where to Watch:  NBCSB, FDSWI

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -17.5, Bucks +17.5; Over/Under:  218.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -17.5, Bucks +17.5; Over/Under:  218.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -17.5, Bucks +17.5; Over/Under:  218.5 points

Boston Celtics:  51-25 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Milwaukee Bucks:  30-46 (3rd place, Central Division)

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Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10

Milwaukee Bucks:  3-7 last 10

The Celtics are entering this game with a 51-25 record overall this season and they are 25-14 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Miami Heat. Jaylen Brown led the team in points in that game with 43 while Jayson Tatum was next on the team with 25 points. Jayson Tatum led the team in assists in that game with 11 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 18. They were 58.3% from the field, 47.7% from 3-point range, and 70% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 107.2 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 44-32 this season and their O/U record is 27-49.

The Bucks are entering this game with a 30-46 record overall this season and they are 17-21 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Houston Rockets. Ousmane Dieng led the team in points in that game with 36 while Cormac Ryan was next on the team with 25 points. Ousmane Dieng led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Jericho Sims led the team in rebounds with 20. They were 47.2% from the field, 42.5% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 110.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.7 PPG against them. The Bucks have an ATS record of 34-42 this season and their O/U record is 34-42.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 17.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked great in their games this season with their 51-25 record overall which has them right near the top of the East with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have been a good road team too with their 25-14 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Bucks haven't looked good in their games this season with their 30-46 record overall which has them in the bottom half of the East. They haven't looked good on their home court either with their 17-21 home record this season. The Bucks have been having a disaster of a season plagued by many different injuries. They are still dealing with a lot of those, including an injury to their star player Giannis who hasn't played in weeks, and the Bucks have now officially been eliminated from playoff contention. They are off a loss to the Rockets in their last one too and they haven't looked good lately either, going 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Celtics have looked like one of the best teams in the NBA over the last 2 months though and they have only gotten stronger with the return of Jayson Tatum. They are off a huge road win over the Heat in their last one and they have been rolling lately with their 8-2 record in their last 10 games. They have already clinched a playoff spot too, but they are still looking to lock up the 2nd seed in the East and stay hot going into the playoffs. The Bucks are dealing with too many injuries right now and they haven't looked good lately with these key players missing. Look for the Celtics to continue rolling in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game. 

Celtics Bucks Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, April 3, 2026 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Celtics 120 Bucks 98.

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Boston Celtics: 11-6 ATS against Central division opponents. 25-14 ATS in road games. 21-12 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record. 14-3 UNDER against Central division opponents. 21-12 UNDER when playing against a team with a losing record.

Milwaukee Bucks: 4-11 ATS against Atlantic division opponents. 1-7 ATS in a home game where the total is 210 to 219.5. 18-25 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record. 10-5 UNDER against Atlantic division opponents. 11-5 UNDER when the total is 210 to 219.5.

Boston Celtics:  N. Vucevic (C) Out - Finger.

Milwaukee Bucks:  R. Rollins (PG) Day To Day - Hip. M. Turner (C) Day To Day - Ankle. K. Kuzma (PF) Day To Day - Achilles. T. Prince (SF) Day To Day - Neck. G. Trent Jr. (SG) Day To Day - Hip. T. Antetokounmpo (SF) Day To Day - Calf. B. Portis (PF) Day To Day - Wrist. G. Harris (SG) Day To Day - Personal. K. Porter Jr. (SG) Out For Season - Knee. G. Antetokounmpo (PF) Out - Ankle.

“Usually when you’re in moments like that, you take poor shots. We didn’t do that. We kept fighting for good looks, the next best look. I thought that kind of kept the momentum going a bit.” - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s win against the Heat in their game on Wednesday. 

"They were great. It was more than an effort game. Since I'm from Marquette, it was one of about Rick Majerus' famous lines: 'Play hard and smart, playing hard is not enough.' And I thought they played hard and smart tonight." - Doc Rivers after his team’s loss against the Rockets in their game on Wednesday. 

PG Derrick White 

SG Jaylen Brown 

SF Sam Hauser

PF Jayson Tatum

C Neemias Queta

PG Ryan Rollins

SG Gary Trent Jr.

SF Ousmane Dieng

PF Kyle Kuzma

C Myles Turner

PPG: Jaylen Brown (28.8)

APG: Derrick White (5.5)

Reb/G: Jayson Tatum (9.8)

PPG: Giannis Antetokounmpo (27.6)

APG: Kevin Porter Jr. (7.4)

Reb/G: Giannis Antetokounmpo (9.8)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (4th season)

Milwaukee Bucks: Doc Rivers (3rd season)