The 1/5 NBA free pick features a matchup between the Toronto Raptors (26-10) and the Milwaukee Bucks (20-16). The Raptors bring a three game win streak into this contest but the Bucks are a tough 13-6 at home on the season. Part of that Toronto three game run was a 131-127 win over Milwaukee on New Year’s Day. There’s been some line movement in this game, as the Bucks opened at +1.5 but are down to a PK. Toronto G Kyle Lowry’s lingering pain in his wrist could be triggering the line movement, but he’s probable to suit up Friday night in cheese land.
Raptors Look to Continue Strong Recent Play
Toronto is 8-2 over their last 10 and are 2.5 games behind Boston for first place in the Eastern Conference. Toronto’s offense is on fire lately scoring 110+ points in six of their last 10 games. In that win over the Bucks 4 days ago, DeMar DeRozan went off with 52 points while Kyle Lowry added 26. The Toronto backcourt must have another big night in the 1/5 NBA free pick, especially to contain the Bucks duo of Giannis Antetounkmpo and Eric Bledsoe who combined for 55 points in the first contest.
Toronto has the offense to notch their fourth win in a row as they rank 3rd in the NBA in scoring at 111.6 points per game and are 7th in field goal percentage at 47.3 percent from the field. The Bucks have been playing good defense lately though, allowing only one of the last four opponents to score over 101 points.
This is just a Local game this a great #NBA matchup tonight my squad #Milwaukee #Bucks #FearTheDeer going up against #toronto #Canada #Raptors #WeTheNorth who comes up with this one
— Ventura Sportline (@smashmouth1989) January 5, 2018
Bucks Offense Clicking to Start the New Year As Well
These two teams are averaging 126 points per game in their four games since the calendar turned to 2018. This of course includes the 131-127 Toronto victory on New Year’s Day in which Toronto was a -6 favorite. That game soared over the 213 total and oddsmakers are expecting another high scoring affair tonight setting the O/U at 216. Playing the ‘over’ could be a sound bet in the 1/5 NBA free pick as it is 5-1 in the Raptors last six road games and 16-4-1 in Milwaukee’s last 21 overall.
The Bucks have won three of their last four led by Antetokounmpo who has scored 25+ in 15 of the last 17 games. Bledsoe had only 7 points in a 122-101 win over Indiana the last time out – a game after scoring 29 against these Raptors. Milwaukee is the #3 shooting team in the league at 48.5% from the field and rank 15th in points per game. PF Khris Middleton could be a huge X-factor in Friday night’s contest as he went for 27 against the Pacers – plus the Raptors give up the 7th most points in the NBA to the power forward position.
Kyle Lowry says the Raptors’ victory over the Bucks gave him a “playoff feel.”
— FansFrenzy (@fans_frenzy) January 2, 2018
1/5 NBA Free Pick Betting
The Raptors already have a win over Milwaukee this week and a win in the 1/5 NBA free pick would be Toronto’s fourth straight victory. The Raps are a strong 12-9 on the road this season and are 5-0 ATS in their last five on one days rest and 7-3 ATS their last 10 overall. The Raptors are 6-2 ATS their last eight in Milwaukee and the road team has won five of the last seven meetings. Bettors are literally split 50/50 on this contest, which bodes well for the team from up North.
Pick: Toronto Raptors PK
