NBA Picks – Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors

It’s been a rough start to the season for the Toronto Raptors. Although they have a positive point differential, they are just 16-20 and only have a better record than three teams in the Eastern Conference. They are 18-18 ATS by the basketball betting odds, but they have lost five of their last six games at home and need to turn things around if they are going to get back to the playoffs for the fourth time in five years under Nick Nurse. Toronto will have a tough time against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night in a game that kicks off a six-game home stretch for the Raptors.

There is no NBA betting line available for the nationally televised game between the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks yet. Toronto will host Indiana on Monday night, while the Bucks take on the Wizards the night before this game. Toronto and Milwaukee will play on Wednesday, January 4, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.

Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors Betting Odds at BetRivers Sportsbook

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Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors Preview

As of January 2, the Milwaukee Bucks are in first place in the Central Division. Milwaukee has a half-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the division race, but the Bucks might not have superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo available for this game. We didn’t see Giannis take the court in Milwaukee’s loss to the Washington Wizards on New Year’s Day due to soreness in his left knee, and he is currently listed as day-to-day. Antetokounmpo has already missed six games this season as the Bucks try to balance his workload, but this absence comes at a tough time for the franchise. Milwaukee has dropped five of its last six games after a 22-8 start to the season.

Antetokounmpo is having a great season, averaging 32.1 PPG and 11.8 RPG while making 53.3% of his field goals. However, he continues to struggle from beyond the three-point line and at the free throw line. Giannis is making just 25.3% of his threes and 64.5% of his free throws. If he could ever fix that, there would be no argument that he is the best player in the NBA.

Khris Middleton has only played in seven games this season due to injury. He has missed the last two weeks due to a knee issue, and he seems unlikely to play in this game. That will put the pressure on Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez once again. Holiday and Lopez have both largely answered the bell, but their shooting efficiency has fallen. Additionally, they haven’t had the same impact on defense.

Toronto was extremely patient in bringing along Pascal Siakam, and he is now a bonafide superstar at the age of 28. Siakam is having the best season of his career, averaging 26.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 6.7 APG. He is making 48.4% of his field goals, and he is an above average free throw shooter too.

It’s important that the Raptors make their free throws because they rank 28th in the league in effective field goal percentage. They rank in the bottom four in three-point percentage, two-point percentage, shooting percentage, and shooting efficiency. Toronto has had a tough time keeping up as the NBA has been more high scoring than in previous years, even though the Raptors’ starting five each average at least 14.5 PPG.

O.G. Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. are both decent shooters, but Fred VanVleet and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes have not been very efficient from the floor. VanVleet has missed the last couple games with a back injury and might not be available on Wednesday night, and Precious Achiuwa is considered questionable too after missing the last two months with an ankle injury.

Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors Prediction

The Under is probably the best bet in this game, but it does depend on what number comes out by the NBA betting odds. Also keep an eye on the injury report, especially to see whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the court for this game as his absence would lead to a huge shift in the line.