Bucks vs. Raptors Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

Jan. 27, 2021

By Michael Crosson

VegasInsider.com

The top two seeds from last year’s Eastern Conference Playoffs will square off for their first matchup of the season on Wednesday night with the Toronto Raptors set to the host the Milwaukee Bucks, and VI is getting you ready with another slate of Bets Bets and Game Previews to help handicap all the NBA action.

Bucks vs. Raptors Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Amalie Arena
Location: Tampa, Florida
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021
Time: 7:35 p.m. ET
TV: NBA League Pass
Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

Betting Odds - Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Bucks -6.5
Money-Line: Milwaukee -250, Toronto +205
Total: 223.5

Milwaukee heads into this contest as a 6.5-point favorite, marking the 17th straight regular season matchup that the Bucks have opened as a favorite in.

While the total for this matchup sits at 223.5 – after the ‘under’ cashed in all three meetings between these teams last season.

Kyle Lowry and the Raptors return to Tampa to square off with the Bucks on Wednesday night. (AP)

Bucks vs. Raptors Current Form-Last Game

Although the Bucks have won eight of their last 11 games, Milwaukee came into its most recent matchup with the Hawks riding a four-game losing streak against the spread – coming off straight up losses to the Lakers and Nets, and two tight wins over the Pistons and Mavericks.

The Bucks finally got back over the hump with a 14-point win and cover against the Hawks this past Sunday though, as Trae Young opted to take the night off and Milwaukee cruised to a relatively easy home victory, 129-115.

On the other hand, after losing six out of seven games to start to kick off this season, the Raptors appear to just now be getting their feet back under them – with wins in five of their last seven games, and a few of those victories coming against respectable opponents (Pacers, Heat, Mavericks).

I find it dangerous to put faith in the Raptors here based on recent success though – considering their wins have come against the Heat without Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro in the lineup, the Pacers who recently just traded away Victor Oladipo, and the Mavericks who have oddly struggled since Kristaps Porzingis returned to the starting lineup.

Bucks vs. Raptors Head-to-Head

Aug. 10, 2020 - Raptors 114 vs. Bucks 106, Toronto +5.5, Under 228 (*NBA Bubble)
Feb. 25, 2020 - Bucks 108 at Raptors 97, Milwaukee +1, Under 232.5
Nov. 2, 2019 - Bucks 115 vs. Raptors 105, Milwaukee -6, Under 227

During last year’s regular season, the Bucks took two out of three matchups from the Raptors, with Toronto’s only win coming in a contest that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Lowry both did not participate in.

The first matchup between these teams was all about the two guys mentioned above, as Antetokounmpo and Lowry chipped in 36 points apiece on a combined 65.8% from the field in a 10-point Milwaukee victory.

While the final matchup at full-strength between these teams was a little more lopsided – with Lowry, Serge Ibaka, and Fred VanFleet shooting a combined 9 of 41 from the field as the Raptors failed to eclipse 100 points for the ninth time last season in an 11-point loss to the Bucks.

The lowest total set in a matchup between Milwaukee and Toronto last season was OU 227, and all three of those games stayed well under that clip – averaging a combined 215 points per game and their highest scoring affair ringing in at 220 total points.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 10-6 SU, 7-9 ATS, 9-7 OU
Road: 3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS, 4-3 OU

While the Raptors appear to be complacent heading down a steep slope following their championship run and the departure of Kawhi Leonard, Milwaukee is still trying to punch its first ticket to the NBA Finals with Antetokounmpo is the drivers’ seat, despite being the top seed in the East heading into each of the last two NBA postseasons.

It took the Bucks a little while to find their groove with Jrue Holiday in the lineup – losing three of their first five games while giving up 119+ points in each of those three losses.

But it appears Milwaukee has figured it out defensively now, holding six of their last seven opponents to 115 points or less, with the Nets being the only team across that stretch to crack that number.

Toronto Raptors Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 7-10 SU, 6-11 ATS, 8-9 OU
Home: 5-3 SU, 3-5 ATS, 3-5 OU

While many people would have called this matchup a potential “Eastern Conference Finals Preview” around this time last season, the same cannot be said regarding these team this year.

The Bucks are clinging on to third place in the East by half of a game and the Raptors currently sitting outside the playoff picture.

The Raptors have easily been the greater disappointment so far this season though, currently ranking second to last in the NBA from an ATS standpoint (6-11).

Toronto ‘under’ bettors were hot heading into their 129-114 loss to the Pacers on Monday – cashing ‘under’ tickets in four straight contests and in six of their last eight matchups prior to Monday’s ‘over.’

Key Injuries

Milwaukee Bucks

None

Toronto Raptors

PF Pascal Siakam: Knee - Questionable

Siakam was a late-scratch from the Raptors’ lineup heading into their most recent contest with the Pacers this past Monday, and is still listed on Toronto’s injury report as ‘day-to-day’ ahead of Wednesday’s matchup.

Reports have indicated that he has just been dealing with some minor knee swelling and should be ready to suit up against the Bucks.

Player Prop Best Bet

Jrue Holiday – Over 20.5 Total Points + Assists (-120)

It took Holiday a little while to start fitting into the flow of Milwaukee’s offense, but he appears to have found his rhythm now – accumulating 20 or more combined points and assists in five consecutive games, with 20+ points alone in three out of his last five contests.

Holiday is currently averaging 16.1 points and 5.2 assists per game on the year for the Bucks, which is a click down from the 19.8 points and 6.8 assists he averaged in New Orleans over the past three seasons.

I’ll back Holiday to continue to bring those numbers back closer to his recent season averages with another ‘over’ on Wednesday night.