Stephen Nover's NBA Thursday Spread Crusher
(NBA) Boston vs. Milwaukee, 04/26/2018 4:00 PM, Score: 86 - 97
Point Spread: -4.50 | -101.00 Milwaukee (Home)
Result: Win
Take away Kyrie Irving and the Bucks have more talent than Boston. So this series has been about the Bucks' superior talent level versus the huge coaching mismatch between Brad Stevens and interim coach Joe Prunty.

There has been a classic zig-zag feel to the series, too, with each team winning at home through the first five games.

Now it's Milwaukee's turn to hold serve. The Bucks defeated the Celtics by 24 points in Game 3 at home and led by 20 points at home in Game 4 before only winning by two. So the Bucks definitely are capable of covering this number versus this opponent.

Minus Irving, the Celtics take a backseat to the Bucks' starters - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon. Now, though, the Bucks are getting key bench contributions from Jabari Parker and Thon Maker.

Boston beat the Bucks, 92-87, this past Tuesday at home in Game 5. The Bucks shot only 36.8 percent from the floor and had 12 fewer free throw attempts than the Celtics. Yet they still hung in. The Bucks should shoot much better - they ranked No. 3 in the league in field goal percentage during the regular season at 47.8 percent - and get to the free throw more being at home and being strong in the paint.

This is the Bucks' game to win - and I see them doing that.