The Boston Celtics will pay a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday at Fiserv Forum. Tip-off between these Eastern Conference title contenders is at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Celtics won the first matchup between these teams 119-116 on Nov. 22 in Boston. They shot 52.4 percent overall and held the Bucks under 45 percent. Milwaukee won the battle of the boards, collecting nine more offensive rebounds than Boston, and committed six fewer turnovers, but never recovered from a lopsided first quarter (29-17). The C’s led by as many as 21 points and never trailed in the game.

Can anyone knock Boston off its throne?

Boston split its last two games, both against Indiana, winning by 17 and losing by two without its leading scorer Jayson Tatum. The C’s have still won eight of their last ten games straight-up and lead the Bucks by 3.5 games in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings. Does anyone have a shot at catching them before the playoffs?

The Celtics score 121.2 points per game (5th) and shoot 48.2 percent (10th), including 37.6 percent from three-point range (9th). They convert 79.7 percent of their free-throw attempts (8th) and average 47.6 rebounds (1st), 26.0 assists (16th), and 13.3 turnovers (11th) per game.

Boston gives up 110.7 points per game defensively (4th), and its opponents shoot 45.0 percent (3rd), including 36.2 percent from deep (12th), with 43.1 rebounds per game (13th). The Celtics average 6.4 blocks (2nd), 6.7 steals (27th), and 17.5 fouls (2nd) per game.

Will Milwaukee right its ship at home on Thursday?

Milwaukee has been through a rough stretch recently, dropping four of its last five. It was handily defeated at home by Utah on Monday, as the Jazz scored 132 points on 52.2 percent shooting with a +11 rebounding advantage. The Bucks trailed by as many as 33 points and only led by one point all game. PG Damian Lillard sat out for personal reasons.

The Bucks average 124.1 points (2nd) on 49.8 percent shooting (3rd), including 37.9 percent from long range (7th). They knock down 77.8 percent of their free-throw attempts (19th) and average 44.1 rebounds (12th), 26.4 assists (13th), and 13.2 turnovers (10th) per game.

Milwaukee gives up 119.9 points per game (24th), and its opponents shoot 47.2 percent overall (16th), including 33.7 percent from beyond the arc (2nd), with 44.1 rebounds per game (20th). The Bucks average 5.5 blocks (11th), 6.6 steals (28th), and 20.4 fouls (20th) per game.