PREVIEW: The Milwaukee Bucks arrive at TD Garden as a team ranked second in efficient three-point shooting, yet they simultaneously allow opponents to launch 43.5 percent of their attempts from distance—a significant defensive vulnerability that ranks them 24th in the league. Milwaukee has lost seven of their last eight games and continues to navigate life without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is sidelined with a calf strain. On the flip side, Boston excels with elite perimeter defense, ranking first in preventing high-quality three-pointers while maintaining strong spacing on offense that positions them second in that metric. The Celtics have won six of their last nine contests and remain one of the Eastern Conference's most formidable squads despite operating without star Jayson Tatum. The Bucks struggle with offensive rebounding efficiency—grabbing just 20.9 percent of available opportunities—a weakness that lands them 29th defensively in a category where the Celtics rank fifth in securing boards. Boston sits as a sizeable 13.5-point favorite in this matchup, reflecting their dominance both at home and against a depleted Milwaukee roster. Milwaukee holds a 1-0 record in their most recent head-to-head encounter and boasts an undefeated spread record against Boston, though that context may matter little given their current trajectory. The Celtics' low free-throw rate of 0.205 ranks 30th, mirroring Milwaukee's offensive approach, suggesting both teams favor perimeter play over attacking the rim in their respective systems.