T.M. Selection: Boston Celtics.

I like the Boston Celtics to cover the spread against the Milwaukee Bucks in this game on Sunday. The Celtics have looked great in their games lately, sweeping the Nets in the 1st round and they looked like they were getting better as the series went on. The 1st 2 games in Boston were the closest games in that series because when Boston went into Brooklyn they dominated in both of those games and never really gave up the lead in those games. They are going to be on their home court here where they have looked great all year and I think they are going to crush the Bucks in this game. The Celtics stick out as 1 of the better teams in the East and they might be the best going into this round because of their defensive effort in every game they play. They have looked great on defense in their games and that was a big reason why they were able to sweep the Nets in the last round, their defense suffocated the Durant and Irving to the point where they never really had clear shots to make. The Celtics also look great on offense and they are 1 of the few teams in the league that isn't too star driven and they actually play as a team. I think the Bucks are going to struggle to keep up in this game, especially with Middleton out and if they fall behind it will be very difficult for them to come back with the defensive effort that the Celtics exert in their games. The Celtics will also take Giannis out of the game with their great defensive play and the Bucks don't have as many options as the Celtics do for scoring since they are a team that is really centered around Giannis. The Bucks were putting up a ton of points against the Bulls in their previous series but I think they aren't going to do that here on this defense and i expect them to have their offense suffocated in these games too. I think the Celtics are a lot better on both the offensive and the defensive end. I like the Celtics to cover the spread in this game.

T.M. Prediction: 110-102 Celtics.