And then there are only two teams remaining in the Eastern Conference. Those are the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks, who will begin their series this coming Wednesday in Milwaukee. The Raptors are +215 to win the series, while the Bucks are -290 to be the first team in this matchup to win four games.
Betting Preview for the Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Playoff Game on May 15, 2019
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
When: Wednesday, May 15, 2019, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Toronto Raptors (+6.5) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (–6.5) – view all NBA lines
Series: Series tied, 0-0.
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (58-24 Regular Season)
The Raptors pulled off one of the most dramatic win in NBA Playoffs history, when Kawhi Leonard nailed a game-winning jumper at the buzzer in Game 7 of their second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers at home. It was only fitting that it was Leonard who delivered the biggest bucket in the playoffs so far for the Raptors, as he’s been undoubtedly the team’s best player in the postseason. Leonard is averaging 31.8 points per game on 53.9 field goal shooting percentage. He’s doing a phenomenal job on both ends of the floor. His defense has translated into superb numbers of 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He also has a net rating of 13.0 in the playoffs. The second-best on the team. The best? That would be Kyle Lowry’s 15.0 net rating. As bad as Lowry has been getting it on social media for his perceived mediocre play these playoffs, he’s making up for it with his defense mostly. Opponents are scoring just 96.8 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor. The Raptors’ frontcourt duo of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka will play big roles in trying to limit the offense of Milwaukee by controlling the glass and clogging up the driving lanes.
The Raptors are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five trips to Milwaukee.
Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks (60-22 Regular Season)
Unlike the Raptors, the Bucks had an easier time in the second round. They breezed past the Boston Celtics, dispatching of Kyrie Irving and company in just five games. Milwaukee is the well-rested team going into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and they will also be at home for the first two games of the series. Those alone are significant advantages for the Bucks, who are No.1 in the playoffs with 52.0 rebounds per game. They are also second among all teams that made the postseason in both scoring (116.9 points per game) and in 3-pointers made (13.4 per contest). The Bucks also have the tools to make Marc Gasol less effective on defense as he was in the previous two rounds. With Brook Lopez spending most of his time looking for his shots behind the arc, Gasol will be forced to follow him around the perimeter, where he can’t help on Milwaukee cutters. And this preview wouldn’t be complete without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s putting up 27.4 points on 52.6 percent shooting from the field in the postseason.
The Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
