Raptors vs. Bucks Odds, Pick, Prediction: Milwaukee Too Tough At Home (January 17)

Raptors vs. Bucks Odds, Pick, Prediction: Milwaukee Too Tough At Home (January 17) article feature image
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Patrick McDermott/Getty Images. Pictured: Jrue Holiday

Raptors vs. Bucks Odds

Raptors Odds+6
Bucks Odds-6
Over/Under217.5
Time7:30 p.m. ET
TVTNT
Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here.

The Toronto Raptors will continue their three-game road trip on Tuesday night with a stop in Milwaukee to take on the Bucks.

Toronto has yet to live up to expectations this season, entering this matchup in 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-24. However, the Raptors just picked up an overtime victory over the Knicks on Monday, a sign that things may be turning around.

Meanwhile, the Bucks once again look to be contenders and find themselves in third in the East with a record of 28-16.

Milwaukee and Toronto played in tight matchups on MLK Day, and both squads have a few more question marks that should be taken into consideration in this matchup. Here is a look at the odds and prediction for the Eastern Conference battle between the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks.

Toronto Raptors

The last few months of 2022 were rather mediocre for Toronto, and it appears that the Raptors' mediocrity has carried over into 2023.

The Raptors have played eight games in the new year, going 4-4. In those eight games, Toronto has posted a Net Rating of 1.2, which ranks 15th in the NBA.

That Net Rating comes a result of an Offensive Rating of 114.7 and a Defensive Rating of 113.4, which rank 14th an 13th, respectively. The Raptors find themselves in the middle of the pack in several statistical categories, so it is no surprise that the Raptors have not been able to build much momentum and are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.

One thing that Toronto does have going for it is that this team is essentially fully healthy. Otto Porter Jr. is the only player listed on the injury report at the time of writing as he is out for the season with a foot injury, but the rest of Toronto's stars look set to take the court for this matchup.

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Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have had plenty of ups and downs throughout the last week, mostly due to their star players being sidelined with various injuries.

Khris Middleton has only played in a handful of games this season because of a knee injury, and he has not played since December 15th. More notable is the injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo, which has kept him sidelined for Milwaukee's last three games.

However, it is expected that Antetokounmpo will be back after missing Monday's game against the Pacers, and it is possible we also see Middleton as he has recently done some 5-on-5 work in the G-League.

That is great news for a Bucks team that has lost two of its last three games, as having those two back in the lineup will provide a boost to an already great home team this season.

NBA.com has the Bucks ranked sixth in Offensive Rating at 116.8 and 11th in Defensive Rating at 110.1 on their home court this season. Their Net Rating of 6.7 at home is also sixth in the NBA this season and is significantly better than their road Net Rating of -4.3, showing that this is an entirely different team on its home court.

Raptors-Bucks Pick

Both teams having to manage a back-to-back helps to level the playing the field a bit, but I think Milwaukee likely rested many of its "injured" players Monday with the thought that it would give them a tremendous advantage in this matchup. As a result, I like Milwaukee to continue its home dominance on Tuesday night.

According to TeamRankings the Bucks are 15-7 against the spread at home this season, the second-best ATS record in the NBA. Meanwhile, Toronto is just 9-10 ATS on the road, which further summarizes its mediocrity.

Additionally, Milwaukee is 4-0-1 ATS while playing with no rest, yet another stat that leans in its favor. I think the Bucks having fresher legs and their stars back in the lineup is going to be what allows them to cover the spread in this matchup, and I like the spread to 8.

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Rick Rockwell
Mar 27, 2024 UTC