Bucks vs. Celtics game prediction, odds, line: 2022 NBA playoff picks, Game 2 bets from model on 86-58 run

Milwaukee will try to take complete control of its Eastern Conference semifinal series against Boston when the teams take the court for Game 2 on Tuesday night. The Bucks took the lead in the second quarter of the series opener on Sunday and never trailed again in a 101-89 win. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was too much for the Celtics to overcome, as he posted a triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. After getting banged up in Game 1, Celtics guard Marcus Smart (thigh) is out for Game 2.

Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics are listed as five-point favorites in the latest Celtics vs. Bucks odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with the over-under set at 215. Before you make any Bucks vs. Celtics picks and NBA predictions, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the third full week of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 86-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning over $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Celtics, and just locked in its NBA playoff picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Celtics vs. Bucks:

• Bucks vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -5
• Bucks vs. Celtics over-under: 215 points 
• Bucks vs. Celtics money line: Celtics -220, Bucks +180
• MIL: The Bucks are 4-2 against the spread in the playoffs 
• BOS: The Celtics are 3-2 against the spread in the playoffs

Why the Bucks can cover

The Bucks have the best player in the series in Antetokounmpo. After averaging 29.9 points and 11.6 rebounds during the regular season, the former NBA MVP is averaging 27.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game in the playoffs. Antetokounmpo is a tremendous defender, anchoring an elite unit, and he puts pressure on the opposition with his offensive force. He is flanked by Jrue Holiday, who averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 assists per game during the regular season, and Milwaukee finished as a top-five offensive team in the NBA this season. 

The Bucks scored more than 1.14 points per possession, finishing comfortably in the top 10 of the NBA in 3-point accuracy, 2-point accuracy and free throw creation. From there, a top-tier defense takes over, with Milwaukee boasting the best defensive efficiency mark in the 2022 NBA playoffs. The Bucks are allowing fewer than 94 points per 100 possessions, with opponents shooting less than 40 percent from the floor and 30 percent from 3-point range in the postseason. Milwaukee is also dominating the free throw battle, keeping opponents to only 15.3 free throw attempts per game in the playoffs.

Why the Celtics can cover

Boston dominated Brooklyn in the opening round of the playoffs, but it had a rare off-night on offense in Game 1 of this series. The Celtics had not scored fewer than 92 points since Dec. 29, so that was certainly an outlier performance. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined to shoot just 10 of 31 from the floor.

The Celtics have been the top defensive team in the NBA this season, so an improved offensive effort should lead to a comfortable win on Tuesday night. Antetokounmpo is without running mate Khris Middleton (knee), which is going to cause issues as the series unfolds. Holiday stepped up with 25 points and nine rebounds in Game 1, but he has not scored 20 points in consecutive games since March 22-24. 

How to make Bucks vs. Celtics picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting 227 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's Celtics vs. Bucks Game 2 pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Bucks vs. Celtics? And which side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bucks vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on Tuesday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.