Celtics vs. Bucks: Live Score, Highlights & How to Watch Tonight’s NBA Heavyweight Showdown

Tipoff time, channel, and streaming options The Boston Celtics visit the Milwaukee Bucks tonight, Monday, March 2, with the ball set to go up at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Fiserv Forum. The national broadcast is on NBA TV; cord-cutters can stream via Sling TV, YouTube TV, or the NBA App (League Pass blackout rules apply). Why this matchup matters 1. Standings shake-up: Boston (40-20) is chasing Detroit for the No. 1 seed in the East, while Milwaukee (26-33) is two games out of the Play-In. 2. Season series: The teams have split the first two meetings, each winning on the other’s floor. Tonight’s rubber match decides the tiebreaker ahead of their April 7 finale. 3. Star power returns: Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to play after missing five weeks with a calf strain, immediately boosting a Bucks offense that dipped to 111.8 PPG in his absence. Projected starting lineups Celtics: Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Oshae Brissett, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis Bucks: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez Injury report • Celtics: Jaylen Brown (illness), Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Neemias Queta (rest) are all OUT. • Bucks: Taurean Prince (neck) is sidelined; no minutes restriction is expected for Antetokounmpo. Key stats to watch • Boston’s defense ranks No. 1 in opponent field-goal percentage (44.1%) and has held four of its last five foes under 100. • Milwaukee is 7-3 when Giannis, Middleton, and Lillard all start, averaging 124.6 PPG in those games. • Rebounding gap: The Celtics grab 46.1 boards per night, nearly five more than the Bucks; second-chance points could swing momentum. X-factors Payton Pritchard: With Brown and Tatum both out, the reserve guard has logged back-to-back 20-point outings and should again see 30-plus minutes. Damian Lillard: He torched Boston for 41 in the first meeting but shot 4-for-18 in the second; his pick-and-roll chemistry with Giannis is tonight’s pressure point. Betting line and prediction Oddsmakers list Boston as a 2.5-point road favorite despite the injury list, largely because the Celtics are 20-11 away from TD Garden while Milwaukee is 14-14 at home. Prediction: Bucks 117, Celtics 112 — Giannis’ return tips the scale, and Milwaukee’s deeper bench exploits Boston’s missing wings. How to follow live Live updates, box score, and play-by-play will be available on the NBA App and ESPN’s Gamecast page. Social media discussions are rolling on #CelticsVsBucks and #FearTheDeer.