Recent Play Details

Play on BOSTON CELTICS -5 (game spread play is good up to -6 points)
3% confidence rating

The Celtics have made the Bucks defense appear better and more capable than it is. The Bucks have the top-rated postseason stop unit with a 100.5 efficiency rating. It isn't just the top-ranked unit among the remaining eight teams; Miami ranks second defensively and is almost five points less than the Bucks per 100 possessions.

Boston has been better offensively than the Bucks in the first two rounds by almost three points per 100. With Williams back in the first five tonight and this Game 5 being held in the TD Garden, the numbers of the regular season place the Celtics 6.5 points better on neutral wood without Middleton in the Milwaukee lineup and nearly 10-points better than the Bucks in Boston the play is on the Celtics, who are whole, as a big play.

The defending world champions deserve a point for being in this position and understanding that a loss today ends their postseason lives. The Greek Freak showed his posture in Game 4 at Wells Fargo ... Giannis didn't just look gassed in the final six minutes of Game 4. He was a step slower and without the necessary help offensively to stay with the much fresher-looking Celtics.

Al Horford has found the fountain of youth in this series and Jayson Tatum has been light-years better in the last six quarters of a series he looked to be off-center on, even in the first two games at the Garden.

Boston has been better than this Bucks team in nearly every critical variable despite winning Game 4 to even the series. The Celtics have averaged 1.173 points per possession or better in their two wins of this series. If they match that number today, or exceed it, which I fully expect them to do it at home with an entire supporting cast, they earn a double-digit victory over Giannis and his mates taking any fumes left in the Freak's tank all but empty.

The double-dipped MVP has been money in this series averaging 32, 13, and 8. His shooting percentage of under 44 percent has more to do with the lack of attention the Celtics have had to issue the likes of Jrue Holiday and Bobby Portis, as both have been offensive disappointments with Middleton out with injury.

The return of Brook Lopez to the rotation has accounted for little to no help for Giannis. The end is near when the top reserve on a championship or reigning championship team is Pat Connaughton.

BOSTON CELTICS -5 points