The Toronto Raptors (–3) have their backs against the wall, as they are now down 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks (+3). The Bucks are simply dominating the matchup, but they still have to finish the job. Will the Raptors get their first win of the series this weekend? Or will the Bucks’ mastery of Toronto continue? See the latest series prices for the NBA conference finals here.
Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks (60-22 Regular Season)
The Bucks just keep on having their way against Toronto. In Game 2, Giannis Antetokounmpo went 10-for-20 from the field to finish with 30 points to lead the Bucks to a 125-108 win. He also grabbed 17 rebounds, dished out five assists, and swatted away two shots in a fantastic display of two-way basketball. Everything clicked for the Bucks, who didn’t have much of a problem scoring, thanks to their ability to stretch the floor and make Toronto’s defense dazed and confused. With Ersan Ilyasova, Nikola Mirotic, and Brook Lopez taking away Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka out of the paint by passing us 3-point threats, Eric Bledsoe and Antetokounmpo were able to get inside and score baskets from point-blank range. As a team, the Bucks hit 13 3-pointers and scored 50 points in the paint. The Bucks are outscoring Toronto in the shaded area thus far in the series, 94-72.
The Bucks are 6-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last six road games.
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (58-24 Regular Season)
Maybe the Raptors will find themselves again when they get to play at home this Sunday. Whereas the Bucks’ offense were fluid in Game 2, the Raptors hardly found any consistency in their attack. Toronto shot just 42.5 percent from the field and turned the ball over 14 times against seven by the Bucks. The pair of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka faltered once again, combining for only 10 points, the same output the two had in the series opener. With the Bucks’ biggies dominating, it’s high time for Gasol and Ibaka to step up. They are much better than what they have shown so far in the series. After scoring 30 points in Game 1, Kyle Lowry only had 15 points in Game 2, while Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 31 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field. Toronto’s bench will have to come alive to match Milwaukee’s relievers. The Raptors’ second unit is averaging just 25.5 points per game in the series, while Milwaukee’s is putting up 38.0
The Raptors are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 home games, and are 13-16 ATS after a loss this season, covering just 44.8% of the time.
