Posted at 11:45 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle O60 -112 BET365 O61 -110 Sportsinteraction O60½ -110

Boston 1st Half Team Total over 60½ 

Best Odds: -110 at Sportsinteraction

7:40 PM EST.  These first half overs have worked wonders for us this season and we'll continue to look for some more Wednesday. We love the Celtics chances to eclipse today's number, especially considering how their last affair ended against the Bucks. Milwaukee was in need of a turnaround in mid-January, far from playing their best basketball and although still winning plenty of games, their performances were nothing but clunky, volatile, and they lacked any semblance of defense. Then they faced Boston for the second time this season and saw an opportunity to change the narrative. Milwaukee overwhelmed Boston early in a better spot at home and off three days of rest. Boston was on a back-to-back after a tough fought road win that went to OT the night before. Predictably, the Bucks took advantage. The home team scored 42 points in the first quarter, allowing just 23 points to their opponent, and continued to soar for the rest of the contest. The result was a 135-102 win for one of the Celtics' biggest rivals, and we're pretty sure they haven't forgotten.

Boston gave up in their last battle with Milwaukee, playing their three stars, Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis, for just a combined 55 minutes after going down early. But we don't have to tell you that a well-rested Celtics team is a different animal. At this point, the Boston Celtics are a true juggernaut. Their roster is so well-balanced and so stacked from top to bottom that it's hard to imagine that they won't make the NBA Finals this year. Since February 4th, aka the last 6 weeks, the Celtics have only lost twice - to the Cavs and Nuggets - in two tough road spots. No surprisingly, the Celtics are the best offense in the NBA during that span and the 3rd-best defense, giving them the best net rating by a wide margin (Boston's score is 19.1, the 2nd-place Pelicans are 9.7, by comparison).  Full season it's even better - Boston is 1st on offense and 2nd defensively. There is no disputing how elite they've been, nor is there any reason to expect regression.

That's especially true considering their advantageous spot today. Boston is coming off a smashing of the Pistons on Monday and on Friday they'll face Detroit again, one of the worst programs in the NBA. Smack dab in the middle of the week are the Bucks, an outfit that dominated them last time, but as we stated earlier: mostly because of situational advantages. The Bucks have been excellent lately, too, but we already know that Giannis Antetokounmpo won't play tonight. He's their best player, in case you're unaware. They also have a back-to-back starting tonight, with their next game at home against Brooklyn. This might be a throwaway game for Milwaukee, who still comfortably sits in 2nd place in the East. We're pretty certain the Celtics don't feel the same way. Take Boston to explode early in a convenient spot, and they're probably the right side full game, too. 

Farley

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