Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks Expert Game 1 Picks Against the Spread 5/15/2019

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Fiserv Forum

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors head to Fiserv Forum on Wednesday where they'll meet Khris Middleton and the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Toronto won 92-90 in an epic Game 7 over Philadelphia to advance. Kawhi Leonard made an improbable buzzer beater to win it for the Raptors. He finished with 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Bucks disposed of the Celtics in 5 games rather easily, winning Game 5 by a score of 116-91. Giannis Antetokounmpo once again led the Bucks with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Milwaukee opens Game 1 as 6-point favorites. The total is set at 218. The Raptors (58-24, 1st in the Atlantic Division) cover 46% of the time, going 43-50-1 for the year. The Bucks (60-22, 1st in the Central Division) have an ATS record of 55-32-4, so they cover 63% of the time. As a favorite, Milwaukee is covering 61% of the time, while Toronto has covered the spread 63% of the time as an underdog for the year. The Bucks have been outstanding for basketball wagerers at home, going 27-17-2 against the spread.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 44-47-2 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 48-43-0 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 55-33-3 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 46-45-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

04/12/19 SF OG Anunoby Appendectomy is out indefinitely

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

05/08/19 F D.J. Wilson Ankle is questionable Wednesday vs Toronto
03/27/19 G Donte DiVincenzo Foot is out for season
03/23/19 C Pau Gasol Foot is out for season

Player Spotlight

Kawhi Leonard comes into this contest averaging 26.6 points per game while playing 34.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Pascal Siakam averages 16.9 points per game in 31.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.1 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton averages 18.3 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.0 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 27.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.5 rebounds per contest and 5.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage is 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 114.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.1 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 45.2 rebounds per game and 25.4 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 14.0 per game. The Raptors allow 108.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.8 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 24.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 1st in the league with 118.1 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 8.9. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 1st in the league in rebounding with 49.7 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 26.0. The Bucks are 18th in turnovers per game with 13.9. The Bucks surrender 109.3 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 24.8 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 45.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bucks are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.1, and their defensive rating of 107.1 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 3rd. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league. Toronto is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 30th in the NBA. The Bucks are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 105.2, and their offensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 1st. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Bucks NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Milwaukee -6

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