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Best bets to consider for Wednesday's NBA playoff slate

Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With a pair of games on tap for Wednesday's NBA playoff action, we dive into the matchups to deliver the ins and outs from a betting perspective.

Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks

Line: Bucks -9
Total: 219.5

They say talent reveals itself as a playoff series goes on. Four games through the second round of Bucks-Celtics, it's clear Milwaukee is on a whole different level than Boston.

On Wednesday, a team some thought would take the East now suddenly faces elimination in five games in the second round.

After a Game 1 loss during which Milwaukee's offense mustered only 90 points, it's dominated its opposition. The Bucks might not offer the star power the Celtics do, but their entire roster is firing on all cylinders. With 113 points in Monday's double-digit win, Milwaukee is now averaging 117 per game in the postseason and has gone over the team total in seven of its eight playoff contests.

There are a couple of angles that favor either side Wednesday. The Celtics are 5-1 against the spread in their last six after losing straight-up at TD Garden and 6-1 in their previous seven road games.

On the other hand, Milwaukee has covered seven postseason matchups and its defense has held Boston to below 40 percent shooting in two of the previous three games.

The Celtics are vulnerable. They're coming off back-to-back home losses and need two wins in Milwaukee if they have any hope to advance. Boston has failed to adjust to the offensive explosiveness it's facing, and it feels as though Brad Stevens' men are simply bracing for the knockout punch.

Expect the Bucks' offense to light up the posted team total of 114.5 in a resounding win Wednesday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors

Line: Warriors -6
Total: 219

There's been no shortage of entertainment throughout the second round of the postseason, especially not during this star-laden, drama-filled Rockets-Warriors series, which is tied 2-2.

As Milwaukee separates from Boston in the East, Houston and Golden State aren't budging. Both teams nabbed a pair of home victories, but the Rockets have the edge in the betting department at 3-1 against the spread. Additionally, following a string of unders in this matchup, there have been two overs and a push since Game 1 of this series.

The Rockets are 12-4 against the number in their last 16 games - and have gone under the total in four of five road contests - while the Dubs are on a brutal 11-23-1 run versus the spread at home and have sailed under in 11 of 16 at Oracle Arena.

This line and total are tight but don't be surprised if the series tilts back to a low-scoring contest in Game 5.

Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.

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