The Milwaukee Bucks got the split they wanted through the first 2 games in Boston, but now they have to confirm it at home over the next 2 games. Game 3 tips off at 3:30 pm ET on ABC and I’ve prepared a same game parlay which you can find below.
We also have predictions on the side and total for Game 3 of the Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies series, don’t forget to check them out.
Let’s dive in!
The Bucks cooled off in Game 2 after going up 1-0 in the series opener. Boston took full advantage and shot 46% from 3-point land, which made all the difference and now the series is tied at 1-1. They also held Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 11-for-27 shooting and 6 turnovers, it’s hard to imagine that happening in back-to-back games for the best player on the planet. I can see this series going 7 games, so it’s likely that Boston will steal one on the road at some point. Will that be tonight? I don’t think so. The Bucks have to set the tone for the rest of the series with a win. They’ve beaten the Celtics in both regular-season meetings at Fiserv Forum by 4 and 6 points, so I’m expecting a similar outcome in tonight’s game.
Be sure to check out our full Game 3 preview for Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks
This Boston defense has been hard to penetrate for both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the first round and now even Giannis is struggling to have his way. Even though he’s averaging 26 points through the first 2 games, his shooting percentages haven’t impressed. He’s shooting just 38% from the field on a high volume and 12% from three, while also struggling a little from the free-throw line, making only 55% of his shots. Surely those type of numbers can’t last long? In the 2 regular-season games at home against Boston he scored 36 and 29 points while shooting over 50% in both of them. With the series switching to Milwaukee for the next 2 games I’m expecting his aggression level to go up a notch.
Now check our same game parlay for Grizzlies vs Warriors (+884 odds!)
Jayson Tatum’s 3-point shooting against Milwaukee has been exceptional. In Game 2 I backed him to drain at least 4 of them and he fully delivered with a 5-for-10 performance and 29 points scored. He has scored 9 threes total over the first 2 games on 47.2% shooting. The Bucks defense is playing Boston in a way that’s caused them to attempt 93 threes through 2 games. Tatum alone has taken 19 of them, which is a lot even for him. If those numbers carry over to tonight’s game, Tatum won’t have many issues making 4 threes again. If we include the postseason and regular season he’s on a streak of 6 games in a row (and 7 of 8) with 4+ made threes against the Bucks.
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