The Toronto Raptors (+350 to win the series) must be kicking themselves in the head after squandering a huge lead in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks (-500) now will look to add to their 1-0 series lead cushion before they take their turn to play as the road team in Games 3 and 4. The Raptors are +7.5-point underdogs, while the Bucks are -7.5-point faves.
Betting Preview for Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Playoff Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 on May 17, 2019
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
When: Friday, May 17, 2019, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Toronto Raptors (+7.5) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (–7.5) – view all NBA lines
Series: Milwaukee leads, 1-0.
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (58-24 Regular Season)
Kyle Lowry has been mocked a lot in the playoffs, but he definitely did not deserve it in Game 1’s 108-100 road loss to Milwaukee. Lowry, in fact, was the only functioning member of the Raptors in the pivotal fourth quarter, as he was the only Toronto player who scored a field goal in the period. He was 5-for-7 from the field in the final frame, finishing the contest with 30 points on 10-for-15 shooting to go with eight rebounds and two dimes. All Raptors not named Kyle Lowry were a combined 0-for-15 from the floor in the fourth quarter. The Raptors had Milwaukee on the ropes heading into the final 12 minutes of the game, even taking a 13-point lead at the end of the third quarter, but their offense betrayed them by simply running out of gas. Kawhi Leonard had 31 points but was an inefficient 10-for-26 from the field, while the frontcourt duo of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka put together a measly total of 10 points. The two big men will have to step up, especially after getting outplayed by Brook Lopez.
The under is 7-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in the Raptors’ last 10 road games.
Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks (60-22 Regular Season)
Speaking of Brook Lopez, the Bucks center showed why he’s still one of the best biggies in the league today. Lopez got down to work in Game 1 against Toronto, bouncing back from a zero-point performance in the series-clinching win over the Boston Celtics in the second round. Lopez torched Toronto for 29 points on 12-for-21 shooting from the field, including a 4-for-11 line from deep. Lopez dominated the Raptors’ big men, and he’ll carry that momentum into Game 2, where he’s barely going to be the only problem of Toronto. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 14 rebounds in Game 1 to go with six assists. Rebounding was huge for Milwaukee, as the Bucks snared 68 boards to just 53 by Toronto. Three Bucks had at least 11 rebounds. Dominance on the glass will be key for Milwaukee, which is first among all teams that made the playoffs with 52.8 rebounds per contest. Rebounding also fed Milwaukee’s offense on the open court in the series opener, as the Bucks netted 25 fastbreak points to just 15 by Toronto.
The Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
