Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Game 3: Prediction Against The Spread, Odds, Playoff Preview

The series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics might have turned into the most unpredictable matchup of the second round of the 2019 NBA playoffs. Boston took Game 1 in Milwaukee 112-90, and the Bucks came back with a 123-102 victory in Game 2.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was completely shut down in the series opener, only to come back with 29 points on just 16 field-goal attempts two nights later. After Kyrie Irving led all players with 26 points and 11 assists to give the Celtics the early series lead, he managed to score just nine points on a horrific shooting night in Boston's loss.

What should we expect with Game 3 set for Friday night?

At the very least, Game 3 should be the first competitive contest of the series. The Celtics are favored by two points at home, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark. The total is 220.

The Bucks posted the NBA's best record in the regular season behind the league's top-ranked defense. The Celtics were sixth in defensive efficiency, and only the Toronto Raptors have played better on that end of the floor in the playoffs.

As obvious as it sounds, the team that gets more stops is going to take a 2-1 series advantage at the start of the weekend.

Al Horford and a swarming Boston defense didn't give Antetokounmpo clean looks at the basket in Game 1. The likely MVP bullied his way to the rim and the free throw line in Game 2.

The shooters that Antetokounmpo found in the series opener were mostly off the mark. It was a much different story in Game 2 when Milwaukee made 20 three-pointers.

Milwaukee became the No.1 defense by allowing more threes than anyone. Boston made 41.9 percent of such attempts in Game 1. Only 10 of their 28 threes fell in Game 2.

Antetokounmpo was unstoppable over the course of the regular season. Game 1 might have been Boston's only chance to keep him from having a big performance. Players like Brook Lopez and Eric Bledsoe proved Tuesday night that they can hit big shots when their backs are against the wall.

Irving, of course, will be much better Friday night. If Game 3 comes down to the final few possessions, the point guard gives the Celtics the edge at home.

Boston's secondary scorers didn't have much of an impact in Game 2. That's been a problem all season long. While Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward have performed better over the last few weeks, it was their inconsistencies that played a large role in the Celtics falling short of expectations.

Tatum and Hayward shot a combined three-of-15 in Game 2. Lopez and Bledsoe were two-of-10 in the opener.

Considering what's gone on this season, Boston is more likely to get another poor shooting performance, making Milwaukee the smart bet as an underdog.

Prediction against the spread: Milwaukee over Boston, 108-104