NBA: Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview, Odds, Prediction

Toronto Raptors have defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first of their back-to-back matches, and we now have the second one. Giannis and his boys are on a four-game losing streak, with three of those events coming on the tour through the West. It is certainly not comfortable for one of the biggest title favorites to experience such a negative skid, especially against the biggest rivals. It not only kills their morale, but the hype as well. Meanwhile, the Raptors got this one following a period of shaky results, during which they posted wins and losses in the series. With success here, they would make their situation much better, because the Canadians’ future schedule is more favorable.

Preview

Toronto Raptors (13-15, +210) had two wins, two losses, and finally a win against the Bucks. We need to say that their schedule wasn’t pleasant at all, as Nick Nurse’s side played seven of their past eight events on the road, with the only one coming at home being the penultimate one vs. Minnesota Timberwolves. Raptors lost the same with 124-113.

In the game against the Bucks, we saw them oscillating, getting a lead in the first period, then allowing a double-digit deficit before enduring a tough back and forth battle, with them finally breaking the rivals in the fourth period. The Raptors pulled away midway through the same, recording a massive victory.

Fred VanVleet had 33 points, team-high, with seven assists and five three-pointers made. Pascal Siakam was all around, with 23 buckets, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Chris Boucher had 14, while OG Anunoby scored 13 with seven rebounds.

Milwaukee Bucks (16-12, -260) have four consecutive defeats, as said before. It all started in Phoenix, with the Suns defeating them one point, and after that went on against the Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder. All in all, this was a nasty period for the Bucks, who had five consecutive victories before this cold-streak.

Jrue Holiday didn’t play for a long time due to health and safety protocols, and his absence is one reason why the Bucks play this badly. The veteran playmaker who arrived this offseason to Wisconsin, posts 16.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.8 boards per game, all that while shooting 50.2% from the field.

Mike Budenholzer doesn’t have a proper replacement for him, and even those who step up to replace Holiday are not consistent. Right now it is all about Giannis, who drops 30+ per game, but he can’t battle alone in these cases.

Head to Head Games

Tuesday’s game ended with 124-113 for the Raptors. Last year, these two sides met twice, each one winning the road match.

Prediction

The total number of points set here is 232.5, and when looking at the recent matches, these two sides had the situation is next. Raptors are 9-1 with ATS, while Bucks sit at 8-2-1, which is a perfect signal to go with another over. The last match saw 237 points, and no doubt that is the range where we expect to see the total for this one as well. So go with Over, with the odds are -110.