The Milwaukee Bucks are one win away from dispatching the Boston Celtics and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. So what can we expect Wednesday night during Celtics-Bucks Game 5?
Game details: Here’s a look at the start time, television information and odds for tonight’s Celtics vs. Bucks Game 5.
- When: 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
- TV: TNT
- Betting line: Milwaukee -9 / 218.5 points
The big picture: Since suffering through a rough Game 1, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have imposed their will on their opponent en route to three straight wins. Does Boston have enough in the tank to push the series to Game 6?
We will answer that question as we offer some bold predictions for Wednesday night’s Celtics-Bucks Game 5.
Big shot Kyrie rediscovers his touch
One of the big reasons Boston has been unable to keep up with Milwaukee since Game 1 is that Kyrie Irving has been laying bricks. He’s gone 19-62 from the floor and 4-20 from behind the arc in the team’s three-game losing streak.
Known for hitting some big shots in the clutch, Irving will rediscover his range and finally break out of his mini-slump Wednesday night in Game 5.
George Hill scores 25-plus off the bench
Hill has been an integral role player for Milwaukee in this series. In particular, he’s been a deadly scoring weapon for the Bucks the past two games, scoring 21 and 15 points. The veteran has been efficient, hitting 15-23 from the field in those two games. He’s been tremendous.
We’re predicting Hill’s hot streak not only continues in Game 5, but that he heats up even more. We also predict he’ll have more opportunities to launch from three, which will lead to a bigger impact on the scoreboard.
Al Horford gets under Giannis’ skin again
One of the marvelous things that occurred in Game 1 was that Horford was a serious pest in the paint, bothering Giannis to no end. He was simply magnificent in that game, coming up with three blocks — including this spectacular double rejection.
Obviously, Antetokounmpo has figured some things out since then and has gone on a tear. However, in Game 5, Horford will get back under Giannis’ skin with a dominant performance on the defensive side.
Eric Bledsoe picks up the slack
The Bucks starting point guard has been rather quiet in this series outside of a strong Game 2 performance. Statistically, he’s under his regular-season averages in points, rebounds, and assists. In Games 1, 3 and 4, he’s hit just 1-14 from three. Nothing has wanted to fall.
Thanks to Giannis’ incredible play, the Bucks have thrived. But we’re predicting the superstar has a down game offensively, which means others will need to step up. Bledsoe is one of the players who will make up the difference.
Boston pushes it to Game 6
Many of the national pundits have determined that this series is over already, and that Boston won’t win another game after being pummeled the past three games.
It seems unlikely that Boston will have enough in the tank to win the series. However, we predict they’ll put up a tremendous fight in Game 5 to avoid elimination.