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Boston is resting Jayson Tatum tonight, and the line went from 11.5 to 10.5. One point. For the best player on the floor. Our numbers had the Celtics winning this by about eight with Tatum in the lineup, so double digits without him is a number I’m happy to take. Yes, the Bucks are 1-6. I don’t need them to be good. I need them to be within 10. Bucks with the points.
The Matchup
- Boston without its best player. The Celtics are 5-2, but they just lost 109-93 in Houston on Monday, and now Tatum sits. That puts the load on Paul George, Payton Pritchard and Derrick White. Pritchard has had nights of 28 and 30 this season, and nights of 4. That’s what a team’s third option looks like when he’s suddenly the second.
- Milwaukee’s ugly start. One win in seven, including 32-point and 25-point losses at home to Houston and Cleveland, and a 112-100 loss in Minnesota on Monday. The one bright spot is Tyler Herro, who has scored 21 or more in five of his last seven. Ryan Rollins runs the offense, and Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma fill in up front.
- Tip-off. 7:30 PM ET at TD Garden.
The Number
Ten and a half is the market’s number without Tatum. Ours was about eight with him. Rest news like this is exactly the kind of thing that can sit in a line for a few hours before it fully moves, and that’s why this one is Featured, not just a lean.
The honest case against: Milwaukee has been blown out twice at home already, and a Garden crowd can turn a 10-point game into a 20-point game in a hurry. It’s a Featured pick, and win or lose, it lands on the receipts page.
Bottom Line
Take the Bucks plus the points at . Featured. The line forgot who’s sitting. Fear the Deer.
Lines as of Wednesday morning. Confirm Boston’s lineup before tip.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in two legs. If Milwaukee hangs around, it’s because Herro is getting buckets, not setting them up. Every leg needs the same game, so this is one position, not two bets.
The angleHerro shoots, Milwaukee stays within double digits.
Build it at FanDuel →FanDuel prices same-game parlays in its own builder, so there is no price here. Build the legs there and check the number before you place it.
Price: check your sportsbook for SGP pricing. Confirm lines before you build the ticket. This parlay is a Game Pick. Player props not available in all states.
Best Prop for This Game
One bet beyond the spread, with a trend, a matchup and a real price behind it. It’s a Game Pick prop, a separate bet from our pick, so keep it small.
He’s Milwaukee’s scorer, and Rollins does the passing.
- Trend3 assists or fewer in 4 of 7 games, and in 3 of his last 4
- MatchupAbout 4 assists a game, with Rollins handling the ball
Prices checked Wednesday morning. Prop prices move fast, so confirm them before you bet. Player props not available in all states.
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