The Raptors hacked out an emphatic 118-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday to grab a commanding 3-2 series lead in their Eastern Conference First Round showdown. It has been a fantastic turnaround for the Raptors who trailed 2-1 at one point in this best-of-seven series.
Key to Toronto’s resurgence has been its excellent play on the offensive end. The Raptors are averaging 102.5 points over their past two games. That sizzling offense was in full display in Game 5 where Toronto shot an incredible 57.7 percent (41-of-71) from the field. Norman Powell went berserk in that contest, scoring a team-high 25 points. It wasn’t just Powell, though, who contributed to that 25-point win as all five of the Raptors starters scored in double-figures. DeMar Derozan scored 18 points while Kyle Lowry recorded a double-double, nabbing 16 points and 10 assists.
For the Raptors to end the series once and for all Thursday night, they will need to dominate the glass once again. Toronto outrebounded Milwaukee, 40-23, in Game 5. The Raptors are averaging 41.6 boards in this series thus far.
The Raptors are 7-3 SU and 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Win or go home. That’s the predicament facing the Milwaukee Bucks heading into their Game 6 clash with the Toronto Raptors Thursday night. The Bucks have been pushed to the brink of elimination after two consecutive defeats to the Raptors, a stunning development considering Milwaukee dominated Toronto in the first three games of this series. The Bucks scored an average of 100.3 points through those first three games and looked to be on their way to their first playoff series win of the Jason Kidd era.
So what happened? The Bucks have struggled mightily on the offensive end the past two games, scoring an average of just 84.5 points. Contributing to that alarming decline is Milwaukee’s sloppy play. The Bucks are averaging a whopping 18 turnovers over their past two games. With their season now hanging in the balance, the onus is on Giannis Antetokounmpo to carry the fight for the Bucks. He’s averaging 23.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in this series thus far.
Antetokounmpo can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs his fellow starters to step up to the plate in this critical Game 6. Khris Middleton, Thon Maker and Tony Snell combined for just 23 points on Saturday. Middleton struggled with a sore throat in Game 5, managing just eight points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds across 36 minutes. He’s probable for Game 6 after not practicing Wednesday.
The Bucks are 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Milwaukee (-1.5) forces a Game 7 with a gritty 99-94 win.
