Oddsmakers pegged the Boston Celtics as sizable underdogs entering their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, but after a convincing Game 1 victory, the C's now are nearly even in the series odds.
Here's the updated betting line for the series, via Caesers Palace, after Boston's 112-90 win Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee.
The Celtics now own homecourt advantage in the series and remain undefeated (5-0) in the playoffs overall. They are 3-0 on the road in the postseason, which is two wins more than they earned away from home in all of the 2018 playoffs.
This series still is likely to go six or seven games. These teams have split the last four meetings if you include the three regular-season matchups.
The Celtics, however, did show throughout Game 1 thay they are a deeper and more talented team, especially when the Bucks are without talented guard Malcolm Brogdon due to injury.
If Bucks superstar and likely league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn't dominate every game -- and he struggled in Game 1 with 22 points on 7-for-21 shooting -- who is going to step up and be the No. 2 scorer for Milwaukee? Khris Middleton is capable, but 14 of his 16 points Sunday came in the first half. Eric Bledsoe could be an option, but his poor history against the Celtics in the playoffs continued with six points on 1-for-5 shooting in Game 1. The Bucks shot 16 more free throws and hit the same amount of 3-pointers as the Celtics and still lost by 22.
Boston Celtics
Milwaukee definitely can still win this series, but its Game 1 performance should make anyone who bet on them to eliminate the Celtics a little nervous entering Tuesday night's Game 2.
Click here for Paul Pierce's bold Celtics-Bucks prediction after Game 1>>>
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