Can Kawhi Leonard help push the Toronto Raptors into the NBA Finals in the biggest game in franchise history when they host the Bucks in Game 6 on Saturday night?
The biggest home game in the history of the Toronto Raptors takes place on Saturday night with oddsmakers listing the Dinos as short favourites in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Milwaukee Bucks hadn’t lost three games in a row all season before facing the Raps in the playoffs. Toronto is now trying to top the East’s top dog for a fourth consecutive time.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Bucks were by far the best bet in the post-season and then the script flipped in Game 3 against the Raps. Milwaukee was 10-1 straight up and against the spread (ATS) before the club flew into Toronto. The Deer have since lost three straight outright and gone 0-3 against the number in the process.
They’re averaging just 99 points per game excluding the overtime sessions in Game 4. That’s a far cry from the totals they were putting up against the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons in the preview two rounds.
Milwaukee averaged 116.8 points in the first 11 games of the post-season and 118.1 points per contest during the campaign. Sports Interaction still lists the Bucks’ team total at 105.
For the first time in the playoffs, the Raptors are the favourites to win the East. Toronto is a -294 chalk to advance to the Finals while the Bucks stand at +200.
About 90 percent of Sports Interaction spread bettors are backing the Raptors in Game 6 as 2.5-point favourites. Meanwhile, nearly 65 percent of bettors expect the game to go over the 213-point total.
Milwaukee Bucks
Head coach Mike Budenholzer switched up his starting lineup in Game 5 by switching out Nikola Mirotic for Malcolm Brogdon. Mirotic played fewer than 10 minutes and went 0-for-4 from the field.
Khris Middleton, the team’s Game 4 leading scorer, tallied just six points in 33 minutes in Game 5. The Bucks need more from their supporting cast with the Raptors essentially daring anyone but Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat them.
Will someone other than the Greek Freak step up with the club facing elimination in a road game on Saturday?
Toronto Raptors
Kawhi Leonard seemed to be nursing a leg injury in Game 4, and while he wasn’t jumping out of the gym in Game 5, Raptor fans aren’t worried about their MVP. Leonard scored 35 points and added nine assists and seven rebounds in 40 minutes of action.
It’s not just his contributions at the offensive end though. Leonard has been the primary defender on Antetokounmpo during the three-game win streak. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner is preventing good positioning for the Greek Freak and just making life in general difficult for the soon-to-be-crowned regular season MVP.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 May 4:43am | MIL | -2 -113 | O +213 -110 |
| Closing 25 May 6:14pm | MIL | -2 -110 | O +213.5 -110 |
Injuries
D.J. Wilson (PF)
D.J. Wilson (PF)
Sterling Brown (SG)
Pat Connaughton (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Tony Snell (SG)
George Hill (PG)
Nikola Mirotic (PF)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Pascal Siakam (PF)
Jeremy Lin (PG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Serge Ibaka (C)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D.J. Wilson (PF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Wilson is battling left ankle soreness but is likely to suit up for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors. |
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| D.J. Wilson (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Wilson has a left ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors. |
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| Sterling Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Back - 28 / 04 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Brown is battling back spasms but is likely to be available against the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Pat Connaughton (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19 | 10-6 | 9-7 | + - |
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Connaughton has a left ankle sprain but is likely to play Wednesday against the Thunder. |
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| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Wed | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 10-6 | 9-7 | + - |
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Lopez will not be in Wednesday's lineup as he will be given the night off to rest. |
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| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Prob Sat | Nose - 05 / 04 / 19 | 11-7 | 11-7 | + - |
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Ilyasova is dealing with a nasal fracture but is expected to take the court against the Nets on Saturday. |
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| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Prob Thurs | Back - 01 / 04 / 19 | 12-8 | 13-7 | + - |
|
Ilyasova sat out the previous game due to a sore back but it is likely he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday. |
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| Tony Snell (SG) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19 | 15-8 | 15-9 | + - |
|
Snell is sidelined with a left ankle sprain and it is unknown if he will return for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pistons. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Prob Fri | Groin - 20 / 03 / 19 | 16-9 | 15-11 | + - |
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Hill missed the previous game due to soreness in his left groin but is expected to face the Heat on Friday. |
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| Nikola Mirotic (PF) | Prob Sun | Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19 | 16-9 | 15-11 | + - |
|
Mirotic is sidelined due to a fracture in his left thumb but it is likely he will return to action against the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Mon | Face - 08 / 06 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-6 | + - |
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McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Pascal Siakam (PF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion. |
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| Jeremy Lin (PG) | Prob Tues | Back - 02 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 01 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Mon | Back - 18 / 04 / 19 | 13-8 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers. |
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| Serge Ibaka (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 15-9 | 10-15 | + - |
|
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 | 15-10 | 10-15-1 | + - |
|
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 | 18-10 | 12-16-1 | + - |
|
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Fri | Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 | 19-10 | 12-17-1 | + - |
|
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 May 4:43am MIL -2 -113 O +213 -110 Closing 25 May 6:14pm MIL -2 -110 O +213.5 -110 -
Injuries
D.J. Wilson (PF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19D.J. Wilson (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19Sterling Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Back - 28 / 04 / 19Pat Connaughton (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19Brook Lopez (C)
Out Wed Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Prob Sat Nose - 05 / 04 / 19Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Prob Thurs Back - 01 / 04 / 19Tony Snell (SG)
Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19George Hill (PG)
Prob Fri Groin - 20 / 03 / 19Nikola Mirotic (PF)
Prob Sun Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19Pascal Siakam (PF)
Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19Jeremy Lin (PG)
Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19Serge Ibaka (C)
Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes D.J. Wilson (PF) Prob Tues Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19 1-3 3-1 + - Wilson is battling left ankle soreness but is likely to suit up for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors.
D.J. Wilson (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19 4-3 3-4 + - Wilson has a left ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors.
Sterling Brown (SG) Prob Tues Back - 28 / 04 / 19 7-4 6-5 + - Brown is battling back spasms but is likely to be available against the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Pat Connaughton (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19 10-6 9-7 + - Connaughton has a left ankle sprain but is likely to play Wednesday against the Thunder.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Wed Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 10-6 9-7 + - Lopez will not be in Wednesday's lineup as he will be given the night off to rest.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Prob Sat Nose - 05 / 04 / 19 11-7 11-7 + - Ilyasova is dealing with a nasal fracture but is expected to take the court against the Nets on Saturday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Prob Thurs Back - 01 / 04 / 19 12-8 13-7 + - Ilyasova sat out the previous game due to a sore back but it is likely he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday.
Tony Snell (SG) Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19 15-8 15-9 + - Snell is sidelined with a left ankle sprain and it is unknown if he will return for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pistons.
George Hill (PG) Prob Fri Groin - 20 / 03 / 19 16-9 15-11 + - Hill missed the previous game due to soreness in his left groin but is expected to face the Heat on Friday.
Nikola Mirotic (PF) Prob Sun Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19 16-9 15-11 + - Mirotic is sidelined due to a fracture in his left thumb but it is likely he will return to action against the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19 2-0 1-2 + - VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 7-4 6-6 + - McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF) Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 9-6 8-8 + - Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG) Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF) Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19 13-8 9-13 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C) Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 15-9 10-15 + - Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 15-10 10-15-1 + - Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 18-10 12-16-1 + - Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 19-10 12-17-1 + - McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.