Celtics vs Bucks Prediction, Odds, Pick Today | NBA Betting Preview (Tuesday, April 9)

Celtics vs Bucks Prediction, Odds, Pick Today | NBA Betting Preview (Tuesday, April 9) article feature image
Credit:

(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) Pictured: Damian Lillard (left) and Jaylen Brown (right).

Celtics vs. Bucks Odds

Celtics Logo
Tuesday, Apr 9
7:30pm ET
TNT
Bucks Logo
Celtics Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
-2
-108
228
-110o / -110u
-122
Bucks Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
+2
-112
228
-110o / -110u
+104
Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here.
FanDuel Logo

Here's everything you need to know about Celtics vs. Bucks on Tuesday, April 9 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today's game.

The Celtics will travel to Milwaukee to take on a Bucks team in disarray. Can the Bucks earn a much-needed win, or will the Celtics overwhelm them?

Let's dig into the NBA odds and make a Celtics vs. Bucks pick.


Header First Logo

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have nothing to play for here considering they have locked up the Eastern Conference 1-seed. They have simply been trying to stay healthy for the playoffs for the last month, and there is little incentive to put stuff on tape against the 2-seed Bucks since there is a real possibility these teams see each other in the playoffs.

As of Monday night, Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis are the only Celtics listed on the injury report, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see more names pop up on the injury report tomorrow.

If you're looking for a bull case for the Celtics, there may be some motivation to get revenge; the last time they traveled to Milwaukee they got embarrassed in a 33-point blowout loss. Schematically, I’d expect the Celtics to struggle to get stops against the size of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez if Porziņģis and Horford do sit.


Header First Logo

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have much more motivation to win this one since they have completely fallen off the past two weeks, going 1-6 over their last seven games against mostly bad competition. They now have a legitimate chance to lose the 2-seed with the Magic, Knicks and Cavs creeping up on them.

Milwaukee should also be motivated to win this one so it can develop some chemistry before the playoffs. If the Celtics bigs sit this one out, we should expect Antetokounmpo to dominate.

NBA Playoff Picture 2024: Scenarios, Magic Numbers & Predictions (April 8) Image

Header First Logo

Celtics vs. Bucks

Betting Pick & Prediction

I’ll be backing the Bucks at -1 here, as they have a clear motivation edge over the Celtics. Boston has absolutely no incentive to put complex offensive sets and actions on tape against a potential playoff opponent with the 1-seed locked up. Milwaukee, meanwhile, needs to win to avoid dropping in the standings and to prove to itself that it is still a good team.

I think this line should be closer to -3 when you consider all of those factors, so I will gladly take -1 here.

Pick: Bucks -1

Phone With the Action App Open
The must-have app for NBA bettors
The best NBA betting scoreboard
Free picks from proven pros
Live win probabilities for your bets

About the Author
Chris Baker is a contributor at Action Network, focusing on both NFL and NBA. He has been betting since 2020 and is also an avid basketball player and coach.

Follow Chris Baker @chrisbakernba on Twitter/X.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.