Celtics' sixth-ranked defense faces Bucks offense ranked 25th

Boston (7-2), owner of the NBA's sixth-ranked defense, visits Milwaukee (1-8), which has lost five straight and scores 105.8 points per 100 possessions, 25th, at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The Celtics allow 105.5 points per 100 possessions. Milwaukee's true shooting percentage of 54.3 ranks 27th, so a team that struggles to finish possessions meets a defense that rarely gives up easy looks.

The Bucks rank 28th in defensive rating and force turnovers less often than any team in the league. Boston's sixth-ranked offense should reach its shots with few empty trips.

Tempo pulls the other way. Milwaukee plays at the fifth-fastest pace, while Boston ranks 27th and grinds games down. The Celtics rank sixth on the offensive glass against a Bucks team 24th in defensive rebounding, a steady source of second chances.

Jayson Tatum carries Boston's offense with 27.9 points and eight assists a game. Paul George averages 2.4 steals, a threat to a Milwaukee team that ranks 21st in turnover rate.

Tyler Herro leads the Bucks at 22.3 points a game. Myles Turner blocks 2.7 shots and gives Milwaukee its best answer at the rim.

Milwaukee is short four players. Cormac Ryan, who plays 24.5 minutes a game, is out, along with Kam Jones, Pete Nance and Bogoljub Marković, which thins the guard rotation behind Herro.

Devin Carter, who plays 17.9 minutes a game, and Dillon Mitchell are out for the Celtics, as are two others.

The teams met Wednesday, and Boston won 109-102 at home. The Celtics then routed Charlotte 119-80 on the road, while the Bucks lost 121-107 at home to Toronto.

Sportsbooks give Boston an 85% chance to win. Keel's projection, blended with the market, has the Celtics at 84% and winning by about 11 points.