Celtics vs. Bucks Prediction, NBA Odds & Best Bets (11/8)

Fact checked at 8:19 AM ET, Nov 8, 2026

Odds as of 7:12 AM ET, Nov 8, 2026

The Celtics (7-2) visit the Bucks (1-8) at 8:00 PM ET in Milwaukee, four days after Boston won the first meeting 109-102 at home. Milwaukee traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami in the offseason for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis, and the rebuild has been rough: five straight losses and 122.1 points allowed per game, the fourth-most in the league. Our picks back Boston's frontcourt starters, Paul George and Neemias Queta, to fill the box score over a full night against that defense.

Boston is a 12.5-point favorite, with 93% of the spread money and 83% of the bets on the Celtics. Jayson Tatum, who rested for the first meeting, is back, and neither team lists a regular on the latest official injury report. The Bucks haven't folded early, though. They came back from 22 down in Boston before losing by seven, and they led Toronto by double digits two nights ago before falling 121-107. Games like that keep Boston's starters on the floor, which is what both picks need. The result to fear is a rout like Boston's 119-80 win in Charlotte two nights ago, when the starters sat the fourth quarter.

Celtics vs. Bucks Predictions

• Pick #1: Paul George Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-109)
• Pick #2: Neemias Queta 15+ Points + Rebounds (-177)

PICK #1: Paul George Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-109)

George had 25 points, three rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes against these Bucks, 33 combined. He has cleared 26.5 in five of his eight games, and in the six where he played 27 minutes or more he went 46, 34, 32, 31 and 33, with one miss (24 against New York).

Both of his other misses came in blowouts: 23 in 25 minutes of a 134-99 win over Chicago, and 14 in 22 minutes at Charlotte. Tatum being back shouldn't cost him much. In games with Tatum where George played 27 minutes or more, he's four for five.

The Over at -109 implies 52.2%, and he has cleared it in five of six games when he played 27 minutes or more. He did sit out the Houston game on the second night of a back-to-back, but Boston isn't on one tonight and announced no injuries for this game.

PICK #2: Neemias Queta 15+ Points + Rebounds (-177)

Queta won the glass in the first meeting with nine points and 12 rebounds, four of them offensive, in 29 minutes. Boston grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and won the boards 54-45, and Milwaukee has been outrebounded in each of its last five games.

At -177 this implies 63.9%, and his full season is only five of nine at 15 or more. Most of the misses came before his role changed. He came off the bench in the first five games and cleared twice, then got the starting job back four games ago and has gone 16, 22, 21 and 7. Last season he started 75 of his 76 games, averaged 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds in 25.3 minutes, and reached 15 in 53 of them, about 70%. That's the role he's projected to fill again tonight, though Boston hasn't confirmed its lineup.

The seven came in 15 minutes in the Charlotte rout, when Boston sat its starters late. Mitchell Robinson also takes center minutes behind him, 15 to 20 in each of his last four appearances, so foul trouble would hand Robinson a bigger share.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.