Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs. Bucks NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the Bucks on Thursday, February 18th, 2021 at Fiserv Forum. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Raptors Bucks matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(13-15) Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks (16-12)
Date: Thursday, February 18th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
NBA Moneyline Odds: OFF
NBA Betting Odds: Bucks -6.5
NBA Betting Total: 232.5
Thursday, February 18th finds Eastern Conference rivals the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks meeting for the third time in the 2020-21 campaign. Milwaukee won the January 27th meeting 115-108.
This is the second of two consecutive games slated between these squads over three days. The Raptors won the Tuesday match 124-113.
The Bucks hold the all-time record between the clubs with 54 wins in 94 meetings. Last season, the teams played three times with the Bucks taking two contests and the Raptors winning once.
Toronto Raptors
The Bucks reserves outscored the Raptors 36-26 but as per below, that’s a bit of fool’s gold. Meanwhile, the Raptors starters outscored the Bucks 98-77.
OG Anunoby returned after missing 10 games but Toronto lost Kyle Lowry mid-game to an ankle injury. In 22 minutes Lowry produced 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
With OG back Nick Nurse elected to go small keeping Norman Powell in the starting lineup
Nurse also elected to play Aron Baynes and Chris Boucher together allowing the latter to play some four and the choice paid dividends as the Canadian collected 14 points (hit four 3-pointers), six rebounds, and five blocks.
Fred VanVleet scored 33 points while Pascal Siakam delivered a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Yuta Watanabe (ankle) missed his fourth game and is questionable for Thursday as is Lowry.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks haven’t lost four in a row in the regular season since the 2017-18 campaign. The only other time was in the 2018-19 playoffs when the Raptors won four in a row on route to their championship.
Of note, the absence of Jrue Holiday is palpable, and while watching the game it’s clear without him it’s much easier to slow down Khris Middleton and apply aggressive transition defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The loss of specific players to acquire Holiday has definitely resulted in a loss of roster depth for the Bucks.
Don’t be fooled by Pat Connaughton (20 points) or Bobby Portis (16) output that’s a choice by opposing clubs to let “the others” beat them while they focus their attention on the stars.
To wit, Middleton was held to 11 points and got only eight field-goal attempts. Antetokounmpo did score 34 but that point output was bolstered by 14 free throw attempts.
The Bucks are 1-4 without Jrue Holiday who is out due to health and safety protocols and is listed as day-to-day.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Raptors are 6-4 in their last 10 head to head meetings
- Raptors are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 4-6 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Prediction:
Despite electing to go with the small ball lineup the Raptors outrebounded the Bucks 44-41 and came close (46-50) to the points in the paint scoring. Both teams want to shut down the paint, get out in transition, and fire away from deep.
The teams were relatively close in meeting those needs with the Bucks scoring 17 points on the fast break and Raptors collecting 15.
Toronto played with more pace getting up an additional eight shots and scoring an additional six field goals. The difference in this game versus the first meeting is the Raptors were aggressive driving the paint and because of it got to the line.
*In the first meeting, the Bucks took 26 free throws to the Raptors 12 whereas this match was closer with Milwaukee taking 25 and Toronto taking 21.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick:
Expect the Bucks to come out aggressive in the second match intent on ending the losing streak and splitting the two games. While the Raptors will look to repeat their success and hope to have Lowry in the lineup.
NBA Free Prediction: Bucks 118 -Raptors 115 (Bet Now!)
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