The Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, 2026, at TD Garden in Boston for their second of four meetings this season. The game is part of the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. The Celtics are favored by 12.5 points, with an over/under of 217.5 points. Boston enters the game with a 30-18 record, having recently defeated Sacramento, while Milwaukee is 18-28 and on a four-game losing streak, having lost to Washington in their last outing. The Bucks, currently 12th in the Eastern Conference, have experienced roster changes in the off-season, including waiving Damian Lillard and letting key players like Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton go. Rumors suggest they may trade star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is out due to a calf injury, possibly as part of trade negotiations. Milwaukee has struggled on the road, with a 9-16 record, and has lost their last four games. The Celtics, positioned third in the East, have a solid home record of 15-8 and are coming off a win. They have a strong rebounding advantage, averaging 44.9 rebounds per game, and are second in the league in three-point shooting, making 36.8% of their attempts. The Bucks excel in three-point shooting as well, with a 39% team average, but shot poorly in their previous matchup against Boston. Key matchups include Derrick White versus Ryan Rollins, Jaylen Brown versus Kyle Kuzma, and Sam Hauser versus Bobby Portis. Defensive effort and rebounding will be crucial, especially since the Bucks have been underperforming recently but remain a formidable opponent. The Celtics will rely on their perimeter defense and effort on the boards to secure the win. X-factors include playing at home with the supportive crowd, coaching strategies—particularly the matchup against former Celtics coach Doc Rivers—and officiating, which can influence game flow. The game is expected to be high-scoring, with the model predicting a total of around 226 points, favoring the over. The Celtics aim to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Bucks look to bounce back from recent losses and possibly leverage trade rumors to motivate their play.