The Milwaukee Bucks finally know who they will be hosting in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Toronto Raptors pulled off a stunning game seven victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to earn the right to take on the Bucks. Milwaukee is the favorite as the series begins on Wednesday night, but the Raptors won’t make this easy on the top overall seed in the playoffs.
Milwaukee has lost just one game so far in the 2019 Playoffs, and they have been the most impressive team in the league. The Bucks blasted the Pistons in four games in round one and then dispatched the Boston Celtics in five games. Toronto has had to battle it out in both rounds, but have made enough plays to advance. The Raptors needed every second to eliminate the 76ers in the semifinals. Milwaukee is -6.0 over the Raptors in game one on Wednesday night.
Raptors Must Help Out Kawhi
Kawhi Leonard has been putting on an offensive clinic so far in the playoffs, but at some point, he is going to need some help. Leonard took 39 shots and scored 41 points in the game seven win over the 76ers, but he looked like the only one who wasn’t scared of the moment. The former NBA Finals MVP is averaging 32 points per game in the postseason but isn’t good enough to beat the Bucks by himself.
Serge Ibaka came off the bench to score 17 points in game seven against Philadelphia, but he was only one of just two reserves to play. The Raptors are getting almost no production from their bench, and that will hurt them against the Bucks. Point guard Kyle Lowry also needs to produce more after averaging just 12 points per game through the first two rounds.
Bucks Getting Healthy Again
The Milwaukee Bucks are getting healthy again, and that should scare the rest of the NBA. Point guard Malcolm Brogdon returned to the lineup in game five against the Celtics and scored five points. Milwaukee was the highest scoring team in the NBA during the regular season, and they are loaded with talent. The Bucks are making over 13 three-point shots per game in the postseason, and they want to wear teams down with their depth.
Oh, and the Bucks also have a pair of All-Stars in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game and will put a ton of pressure on the Raptors defense all series long. Middleton is an elite shooter that is making 47 percent of his three-point shots and is scoring 19 points per game. Milwaukee can overwhelm teams with their depth, but they also have a pair of stars leading the way.
Milwaukee Cruises in Game One
The Raptors should have plenty of momentum heading into the series opener, but they are also going to be tired. Milwaukee has been waiting around for a few days, and they have also been getting healthy again. The Bucks were the best team in the NBA during the regular season, and they have been playing like it all postseason. Milwaukee is going to win game one. Bet the Bucks -6.0 over the Toronto Raptors in this one.
