Raptors vs. Bucks: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Raptors vs. Bucks Odds
| Raptors Odds | +1.5 |
| Bucks Odds | -1.5 |
| Over/Under | 222 |
| Date | Tue, Jan. 17 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | TNT |
Tuesday’s NBA on TNT double-header will begin with a matchup between the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Entering play, Milwaukee (28-16) owns the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. Toronto (20-24) is tied with the Chicago Bulls for the final play-in position in the standings. Tonight, oddsmakers are anticipating a closely-contested affair between these two teams, pricing the Bucks as 1.5-point home favorites on the spread.
Toronto Raptors
Fatigue a concern
On Monday, the Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 123-121 in overtime at Madison Square Garden. In the victory, all five Toronto starters played at least 40 minutes, with only two bench players earning 18 minutes or more of court time. In Saturday’s loss against the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto played Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes each 35 minutes or more. Playing their third game in their third different city in the last four days, stamina is a potential issue for this group on Tuesday in Milwaukee.
Barnes rounding back into form
In eight games since the calendar flipped to 2023, Barnes is averaging 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 50 percent shooting from the floor. In that span, he has scored less than 19 points only twice.
The fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft, Barnes had a strong rookie campaign, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He struggled during the first half of his sophomore campaign, seeing regression in shooting percentage, three-point percentage, rebounds per game, and scoring, but has turned things around of late. Only 21 years old, Barnes could be in for a strong second half of the season as he continues to improve his game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton OUT
Per Cleaning the Glass, when both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are off of the floor at the same time this year, Milwaukee ranks in the 28th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 65th percentile in defensive efficiency. In 35 games with Antetokounmpo active, the Bucks are 23-12, compared 5-4 when he is in street clothes. Since he last played on January 11, the team is 1-2, having lost twice to the Miami Heat before beating the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
Who will step up for Milwaukee
Per CourtIQ, Jrue Holiday receives the largest increase in usage (+6.1%) when both Antetokounmpo and Middleton are on the sidelines. In these situations, Holiday is averaging 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 10.1 assists per 36 minutes of action. In his last four games played without his two co-stars, Holiday has three double-doubles and three games with at least 21 points scored – including a 35-point performance yesterday against the Pacers.
Raptors vs. Bucks – Picks & Predictions
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Milwaukee Bucks regress on both ends of the floor when Giannis Antetokounmpo is off of the floor this season. Notably, they have played at a quicker pace without Antetokounmpo this year, compared to when they have him in the lineup. Looking to minimize their talent deficiencies in the half court in his absence, the Bucks are likely to push the pace once again on Tuesday, hoping for easy buckets in transition against a road weary Toronto Raptors team. Do not bet the house on a short-handed Milwaukee roster, but they should be able to do enough to earn a victory at home tonight.
PICK: Bucks ML (-120, FanDuel)
Image Credit: Imagn