Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Charlie Grant
The Raptors needed overtime and a career-high 52 points from DeMar DeRozan to stop the Bucks at the ACC earlier this week. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. look to avenge that narrow loss when the two teams meet up in Milwaukee on Friday night.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Milwaukee is riding a four-game cover streak and is 20-16 straight up and 16-15-5 against the spread on the season. Betting on the over in Milwaukee games has been the most profitable way to wager on the Bucks. The over is 8-2 in their last 10 games and 23-12-1 overall for the campaign. Toronto topped the Bulls 124-115 and covered as a 4.5-point road fave on Wednesday night. The Raptors are 26-10 SU and 21-15 ATS overall and 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Monday’s result was the Raptors’ four straight win over the Bucks and they covered the spread in three of those meetings.
Bill Simmons said on his podcast this week with Cousin Sal that Milwaukee is a sleeper to win the Eastern Conference. The Bucks are listed at +2000 to win the East on the NBA odds board while the Raptors sit at +600 behind only Boston and Cleveland.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto got the best game of Delon Wright’s short NBA career on Wednesday against the Bulls. The third-year guard out of Utah reeled in 13 rebounds, dished five assists, grabbed five steals and scored 25 points on 10 of 15 shooting including four of five from deep. Loyal Raptors fans have been calling for more minutes given to the 25-year-old and he certainly didn’t disappoint against Chicago. Bettors might want to watch if Dwane Casey starts using more three-guard lineups with Wright sharing the floor with both DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
Milwaukee Bucks
Toronto backers should hope for a better defensive effort against the Bucks backcourt this time around. Milwaukee guards Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon and Matthew Dellavedova lit up the Raptors for a combined 50 points, 15 assists and 18 rebounds at the ACC on Monday. The Raps can afford to let Giannis Antetokounmpo stuff the stat sheet, but beating the Bucks becomes more difficult when the secondary options are firing on all cylinders.
