Raptors vs. Bucks prediction, odds, pick, spread

The Raptors have been one of the worst teams in the NBA, while the Bucks have been playing great basketball lately in this game. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series with Raptors-Bucks predictions and picks.

The Raptors have struggled this season and entered the game 10-31. However, they have won two consecutive games entering this match. RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes are the Raptors’ best players and will be asked to do a lot in this matchup against the Bucks. The Raptors can make a huge statement in this game against one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks.

The Bucks had a slow start to the season, but have been playing great basketball lately. The Bucks are going with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard has also been great in the backcourt, where things are finally coming together for this duo. They can make a big statement in this game against a team that has had as bad a season as the Raptors entering this matchup in Milwaukee.

It’s Raptors-Bucks here NBA oddscourtesy of FanDuel.

NBA odds: Raptors-Bucks odds

Toronto Raptors: +11.5 (-114)

Moneiline: +440

Milwaukee Bucks: -11.5 (-106)

Moneilines: -590

More: 232 (-110)

Under: 232 (-110)

How to watch Raptors vs. Bucks

Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

TV: TSN/FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why the Raptors could cover the spread/win

The Raptors offense is inconsistent. They are 19th in scoring at 111 points per game, 14th in field goal percentage at 46.7%, and 21st in three-point shooting at 34.8% from behind the arc. Six Raptors have scored more than double-digit points this year, and the leading scorer is RJ Barrett with 22.4 points per game.

Scotty Barnes is the team’s leading passer and leads the team in assists with 6.5 per game. This offense has a lot of roster balance, and some really good talent, but the pieces have struggled to fit together consistently. He has a lot of issues coming into this game against a Bucks defense that has been playing much better of late.

Why Dollars Could Cover the Spread/Win

The Raptors defense has also been a poor unit this season. They are 27th in points allowed, at 118.2 points per game, 21st in field goal percentage, at 47.3%, and 24th in three-point percentage, at 36.9% from behind the arc. Jakob Poetl has been bad and leads the team in rebounding with 10.6 per game.

He also leads the team in blocks with 1.2. Then, on the defensive end, the two Raptors are averaging one steal a game, with Barnes leading the team with 1.5 per game. This is a bad matchup for the Raptors defense. The Bucks have a good offense, and Giannis and Lillard can take over every game.

The Bucks offense was playing very well coming into this matchup. They are 13th in scoring at 113.4 points per game, sixth in field goal percentage at 48.2% from the field, and second in three-point shooting at 38.7% from behind the arc. Five Bucks averaged in double figures, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best player on the roster with 31.3 points per game.

Damian Lillard also leads the team in assists with 7.2 per game. This team goes like Giannis going, and with Damian Lillard, they are one of the the best duets in the NBA. They get a good matchup against a Raptors defense that has struggled to do anything successful this season. The Bucks should be able to score on the Raptors and have the edge on this side of the court.

The Bucks defense got a lot better as the season went on. They are 10th in points allowed at 111.1 points per game, fourth in field goal percentage at 45% from the field and 14th in three-point percentage at 35.8% from behind the arc. They have one of the best front lines in the NBA with Brook Lopez, Giannis and Bobby Portis.

Antetokounmpo leads the team in rebounds with 11.8 per game, while Lopez leads in blocks with 1.9 per game. Then, with on-ball defense, two players are averaging at least one steal, with Lillard leading the team with 1.3 per game. The Bucks have been one of the better defenses in the NBA, especially as of late, and should dominate the Raptors on this side of the court.

Raptors-Bucks final prediction and pick

The Raptors are in trouble in this game. Although Giannis and Khris Middleton are projected to return from injuries, the Raptors lack the firepower to compete against the Bucks. Barrett and Barnes are good players, but this is a different beast. The Bucks are the better team and should win and cover easily in this home game against the Raptors.

Final Raptors-Bucks Prediction & Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -11.5 (-106)