As the NBA enters the final stretch of the regular season, the Boston Celtics have put themselves in a position to finish in the top-four in the Eastern conference and secure home court advantage in at least the opening round of the playoffs. Tuesday night the Celtics are in Milwaukee to tip off with the Bucks, a team that currently occupies the fifth spot in the east, in what could be a preview of a potential first-round playoff match.

Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks
Tuesday March 9, 2010.
NBA Odds: Celtics Will Be Favored

The Celtics are finally healthy and that status is reflected in their record as they have won four straight to pull a half game up on the Atlanta Hawks for fourth place in the east. The additions of Rasheed Wallace in the off-season and Nate Robinson at the trade deadline have bolstered an already solid core unit featuring Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo, giving Boston perhaps the deepest roster the team has had in years. The age of the big three of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett is beginning to become a concern in Boston, however while critics are quick to point out the veteran status of the team’s best players, the Celtics are still considered a contender in the Eastern conference.

Boston will attempt to demonstrate its identity as one of the big-three in the east when it travels to Milwaukee. The Bucks have enjoyed an outstanding run of success that includes three straight wins and nine wins in their past ten games overall. Jerry Stackhouse’s veteran presence has brought a calming influence to a team that boasts seven players that average over ten points per game. First-year point guard Brandon Jennings is a betting services rookie of the year candidate averaging 15.9 points and 6.1 assists per game, and center Andrew Bogut has done an excellent job underneath the basket establishing his inside presence. The Bucks have done everything to make a push in the east, however they will face a true test of how far along they are in the maturing process when the visiting Celtics take to the floor.

The Celtics are making a late run to try and secure home court advantage at least through the first two rounds of the playoffs, making every game important to their cause. Although a date with the Bucks may appear to play right into their favor in continuing to close the gap with the Cavaliers and Magic atop the conference, the upstart Bucks are on a mission of their own and view this game as a big potential confidence builder. Still, the Celtics are too experienced and too deep not to win this game.

Pick: Celtics
Betting Online Over/Under:

This game should feature two teams playing tight, playoff-style basketball as both Boston and Milwaukee make a push down the stretch and prepare for the postseason. Although both teams have the potential to score, a close, defensive battle is the more likely scenario when these two teams meet on Tuesday.

Pick: Under