Toronto (0-1) at Milwaukee (1-0)
When: Friday, May 17th, 2019
Where: Fiserv Forum,
Milwaukee, WI
Time: 8:35 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Milwaukee -7/214.5
The Milwaukee Bucks managed to get six days off between eliminating the Boston Celtics and Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Toronto Raptors. The Bucks certainly showed some rust early on as the Raptors controlled the first three quarters on Wednesday, but went ice-cold down the stretch in the 108-100 loss. Milwaukee outscored Toronto 32-17 in the fourth quarter including 10-0 in final 3:31 to not only get the series advantage, but covering the spread as well when it looked like that would be impossible. Guard Kyle Lowry scored 30 points, but was the only Raptor to make a field goal in the final 12 minutes. Lowry was 5-for-7 and scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, while teammate Kawhi Leonard was 0-for-3 and was held to two points on free throws in the fourth. The Raptors had won Game 7 Sunday against the 76ers on Leonard’s dramatic, series-clinching buzzer-beater, but needed to keep that momentum going for just one more quarter. Both teams see ways they can improve for Game 2. The Bucks shot 39.8 percent (37-for-93) from the field, and only 25 percent (11-for-44) from 3-point territory, while Toronto shot 37 percent (34-for-92) overall and 35.7 percent (15-for-42) from long range. Game 3 is set for Sunday night in Toronto.
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Lowry averaged 12.4 points and shot 41.5 percent from the field in Toronto’s first two series before busting out on Wednesday including a career playoff high seven 3-pointers. The Raptors need more from shooting guard Danny Green, who is averaging just 5.3 points on 4-of-16 shooting over the past three games after averaging 10.3 during the regular season. Power forward Pascal Siakam was 6-of-20 shooting in Game 1 and is just 27-of-76 over the past five games.
Center Brook Lopez took over in the fourth quarter with 13 of his playoff career high 29 points for Milwaukee while also grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking four shots in Game 1. Lopez averaged just 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in the five-game conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 24 points and 14 rebounds in the opener for his sixth double-double of the postseason, while guard Malcolm Brogdon recorded 15 points off the bench and is averaging 12.5 points in two games since returning from a foot injury.
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I’m going to blame Milwaukee’s struggles early on rust rather than give total credit to Toronto. Still, the Bucks not only managed to win, but cover the spread as well. Now that they were tested and have their first game in almost a week under their belts, I expect a better four-quarter effort Friday. I’ll lay the points once again with the Bucks at home.
Pick: Bucks -6.5
Raptors are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
Raptors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Conference Finals games.
Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Raptors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Central.
Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.
Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Bucks are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Bucks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Bucks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Bucks are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Bucks are 36-13-2 ATS in their last 51 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bucks are 40-18-2 ATS in their last 60 games overall.
Bucks are 35-16-1 ATS in their last 52 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bucks are 37-17-2 ATS in their last 56 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 1-0-3 in Raptors last 4 Friday games.
Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 7-0 in Raptors last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-0 in Raptors last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 5-0 in Raptors last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-1-1 in Raptors last 9 road games.
Under is 7-1-1 in Raptors last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 5-1-1 in Raptors last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 11-3 in Raptors last 14 overall.
Under is 7-2 in Raptors last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 10-3 in Raptors last 13 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 7-3 in Raptors last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Raptors last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Bucks last 8 Conference Finals games.
Under is 8-3 in Bucks last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 10-4 in Bucks last 14 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 26-12 in Bucks last 38 vs. NBA Atlantic.
Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Milwaukee.
Road team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Raptors are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
