The Milwaukee Bucks labored through Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but used a late spurt to knock off the Toronto Raptors. The game was close from start to finish and Toronto has to be kicking itself for missing out on an upset win. The Raptors will aim to bounce back in Game 2 and tie the series.
The Bucks were able to cover the spread in Game 1 but just barely, and it wasn’t looking too likely for much of the contest. Milwaukee will once again be the favorite next time out as it has the home court and the talent advantage in NBA wagering.
This NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks will be held at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 17th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on TNT.
We'll have NBA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2019 NBA season.
Odds Analysis
The spread for the second game of this series is listed at minus-seven points in favor of Milwaukee. The Bucks enter as the -280 favorites on the moneyline while the Raptors are the +230 underdogs. The scoring total is listed at 214 points. The “under” was the correct call in Game 1 in NBA gambling.
Last Time Out
The Raptors led by eight points at the half and by seven going into the fourth quarter but the Bucks dominated the final 12 minutes for the win. Brook Lopez had a huge game, finishing with 29 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Giannis Antetokounmpo was fabulous as always, putting up 24 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in the contest.
Kyle Lowry was really good for Toronto, finishing with 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting while hitting 7-of-9 shots from downtown. He added eight rebounds and if he can play like that moving forward the Raptors should be right in this series. Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 31 points and nine rebounds but Toronto’s offense stalled down the stretch.
Key Stat
60. That’s the number of rebounds the Bucks accumulated in Game 1, which helped them put up enough points despite shooting only 39.8 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. Antetokounmpo, Lopez and Khris Middleton all pulled in double digit rebounds in the contest as the team’s size was an issue for the Raptors.
Toronto secured only 48 rebounds and cannot afford to be that far behind in such a crucial category moving forward. Marc Gasol led the Raptors with 12 rebounds in the contest.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Raptors played well but didn’t shoot it good enough down the stretch to pull out the win. Milwaukee played poorly but still managed to secure the victory, which is a good sign moving forward. Toronto missed its chance to win one of the first two games of this series. Look for the Bucks to perform much better next time out and cruise to the win, covering the spread once again in NBA gambling.
The “over” is the pick on the scoring total.
NBA ATS Pick: Milwaukee Bucks 117, Toronto Raptors 107
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