By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle Odds: Toronto Raptors -2 at Milwaukee Bucks +2 Total 204
The ball tips at 8:00 ET at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee Bucks host the Toronto Raptors. Last night Toronto extracted some measure of revenge as they defeated the Washington Wizards, on the road, (114-106,) as 5 point underdogs. That was quite an accomplishment as winning at Washington hasn’t come easy for the majority of the NBA teams as the Wizards had won 20 out of 22 games prior to last night’s loss. Toronto has won their last three plays with no rest and they are also an a 14-05-01 ATS streak when playing with zero rest.
Milwaukee surprised the Clippers last night, (112-101.) Winning hasn’t come easy for the Bucks as that was only their seventh win in their last 22 contests, while going 06-16 ATS.
I mentioned how back-to-back games has been kind to Toronto, the same cannot be said for the Bucks as they are 5-9 ATS when playing without rest. Milwaukee is 16-16 straight up at home this season as well as 14-18 ATS. Recent form has the Bucks at 0-3 ATS vs. the Raptors, losing by 6 points at home as well as a combined 38 in Toronto. Milwaukee is also 1-13 straight up in their last 14 contests and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Keys to the Game
- It is well known that Kyle Lowery is out, but DeMar DeRozan has been lighting up the scoreboard in his absence. He scored 32 points as well as a career high tying 13 rebounds last night vs. the Wizards. DeRozan is averaging 33.8 points on 50.9% percent along with 7.2 boards in the last five games.
- Norman Powell has taken up the slack with the injury to Lowery scoring 38 points in 41 minutes in their last two games. Powell had 19 points while starting in place of an injured DeRozan in a 102-86 triumph in their last meeting on January 27 in Toronto.
- Toronto’s 4-1 recent form has been aided by the addition of former Magic forward Serge Ibaka who is averaging 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in the five games since being traded.
Winning Angles
- The Bucks are 01-11 ATS vs. the Atlantic division.
- Toronto is 5-0 ATS in their last five vs. Milwaukee.
- Milwaukee is 05-14 ATS vs. teams who attempt 18 or more 3 point shots per gameand the Bucks are in the bottom 10 of the league when defending the 3 point shot.
- The Raptors are 24-14 ATS this season vs. poor foul drawing teams that attempt 24 or less free throws per game.
- In the second half of the season Milwaukee is 5-14 ATS vs. teams who make 6 or more 3 point shots per game this season.
Every Edge in Review
- With the contests I have wagered on my EE record is 5-7 ATS.