Thursday's matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference foreshadows a possible Eastern Conference Finals showdown. Both teams have clinched a playoff berth and the Bucks clinched their division with Monday's win over the Pistons.
Last season, the Celtics bested the Bucks in Game 7 of the Eastern Co nference semifinals. Although there's not much seeding implications in this contest, both teams are likely to come out swinging.
Boston Celtics – SIC score 91.7
The Celtics play in Milwaukee Thursday night before heading home for a contest against the Utah Jazz on Friday.
That will factor into who plays through their “questionable” status, but the Celtics injury concerns remain the same.
Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum and Malcolm Brogdon are all off the injury report and will play barring any late developments.
The players listed as questionable are: Robert Williams III with left knee injury management, Payton Pritchard with left heel pain and Grant Williams with a non-COVID illness.
All three played in Tuesday's 130-111 loss to the Wizards and have a solid chance to suit up for this contest.
Boston enters the contest tied for third in points scored per game and sixth in points allowed per game.
Milwaukee Bucks – SIC score 89.8
The Bucks are playing on t he back-end of a back-to-back after a dominant win Thursday night over the Indiana Pacers.
As of Wednesday night they had not submitted their injury report for the game, but it shouldn't look too different outside of a few key names.
Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 38 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists in 32 minutes Wednesday night. Given that he has been listed with right knee soreness for a majority of the season, it would not be surprising if he didn't play against the Celtics.
Khris Middleton was ruled out before Wednesday's contest with right knee injury management, meaning he will likely be available Thursday.
Meyers Leonard and Jae Crowder remain out with calf injuries, while Goran Dragic and Joe Ingles are managing their veteran knees at this point in the season.
Both Dragic and Ingles were available Wednesday but played a combined 4 minutes.
Jrue Holiday tallied a career-high 51 points in 32 minutes against Indiana.
Milwaukee is 41-12 when Holiday and Antetokounmpo play this season. They are 6-4 when Holiday plays without Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks are favored by 3.5 points at home and the over/u nder is 236.5,'according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Boston lost 131-125 in the only other previous matchup between these teams this season.