Celtics vs. Bucks odds, line, score prediction, time: 2024 NBA picks, Oct. 28 best bets by proven model

Powerhouses meet when the Milwaukee Bucks battle the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in a key Eastern Conference matchup on Monday night. Boston is coming off a 124-118 win at Detroit on Saturday, while Milwaukee dropped a 115-102 decision at Brooklyn on Sunday, its second consecutive loss. The Bucks (1-2), who were the third seed last season at 49-33, won the NBA title in 2020-21. The Celtics (3-0), the top seed in the league last year at 64-18, won their league-high 18th championship in five games over the Dallas Mavericks this past June. Boston will again be without power forward Kristaps Porzingis (foot). Khris Middleton (ankle) has yet to appear for Milwaukee this season and is return date is uncertain at this point.

Tip-off from TD Garden in Boston is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Celtics lead the all-time regular-season series 118-112, but the teams have split each of the past 10 meetings. The Celtics are 9.5-point favorites in the latest Bucks vs. Celtics odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 233.5. Before making any Bucks vs. Celtics picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six seasons. The model ended the 2023-24 season on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning more than $2,800 in the process. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.  

The model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Celtics and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Celtics vs. Bucks:

• Celtics vs. Bucks spread: Boston -9.5
• Celtics vs. Bucks over/under: 233.5 points
• Celtics vs. Bucks money line: Boston -476, Bucks +357
• MIL: The Bucks are 4-6 against the spread in their last 10 games
• BOS: The Celtics are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games  
• Celtics vs. Bucks picks: See picks at SportsLine
• Celtics vs. Bucks streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)

Why the Celtics can cover

Small forward Jayson Tatum is off to a fast start to the season. In three games, he is averaging 33 points, 6.3 rebounds, six assists and 1.3 steals in 32.3 minutes of action. He is connecting on 54.7% of his field goals, including a blistering 48.6% from 3-point range. In the win at Detroit on Saturday, he scored 37 points, while grabbing four rebounds and two assists and two steals. He opened the season with back-to-back doubles-doubles.

Shooting guard Jaylen Brown has also been red hot from long range. Brown, who is averaging 24.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, three assists and two steals, has connected on 45.8% of his 3-pointers. He registered a double-double in the win over the Pistons with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He had a season-high 27 points and eight rebounds in a 122-102 win at Washington on Thursday. See which team to pick here.

Why the Bucks can cover

Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo powers the Milwaukee offense. Through the first three games of the season, he is averaging 28.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 33 minutes of action. He is connecting on 67% of his field goals and 81% of his free throws. He has three double-doubles on the year, including a 38-point and 11-rebound effort in a 133-122 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

Point guard Damian Lillard is also a big part of the Bucks’ offense. He is averaging 26.3 points, six assists and 5.7 rebounds in 35.3 minutes of play. He nearly registered a double-double in the 124-109 season-opening victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday. In that game, he scored 30 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out six assists. See which team to pick here.

How to make Bucks vs. Celtics picks

The model has simulated Bucks vs. Celtics 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 229 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Bucks vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bucks vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on, all from the model that was on a 94-61 roll on top-rated NBA picks last season, and find out.