NBA Preview: Bucks Vs. Raptors
Published February 18, 2021 by Sol FH
The Milwaukee Bucks have lost their fourth straight and could go down yet again to the Raptors, tonight at 00:30 GMT.
The Bucks and the Raptors faced-off last night at Fiserv Stadium and Toronto blew Giannis and the rest of the Bucks, out of the water. Since losing Jrue Holiday, the Bucks have lost 4-straight games and the loss to the Raptors in their 2-game series showed severe holes in the Milwaukee defense.
The Bucks fell behind in the first quarter but evened things out at 33-points apiece to start the second. Things remained even until the halfway point at 64. The Raptors took a 3-point lead after the third quarter and held the Bucks to just 22-points in the fourth, as Toronto scored 30, ending the game 124-113.
Defense, the Issue?
Communication on defense remains the biggest issue for the Bucks, and it was clear that losing Jrue Holiday was substantial. Toronto double-teamed Khris Middleton, who committed a number of turnovers and only eleven points, but, Giannis Antetokounmpo ended the game with 34 to lead all scorers.
Fred VanVleet led all Raptors scorers with 33. Toronto was strong on defense, switching on every player and led to missed shots in the third and fourth quarters.
Keys to Victory
Tonight, the Bucks will be looking to avenge their loss in the first game. That will be easier said than done as the Raptors are at home tonight and have played well at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. this season.
Milwaukee could have a better chance to win tonight, as Raptors' star Kevin Lowry exited the game with a sore left ankle in the third quarter Although he did return, it remains to be seen just how well he will be feeling.
“He hit it a couple of times, once in the first half and then once in the second,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse commented. “They're going to evaluate it thoroughly here tonight and we should know more here tomorrow.”
NBA Betting
The Bucks are still favorites to win tonight with a number of live in-play bets available at bet365 Sports for punters that want to get in on the NBA action.
The odds in this article at the bookmaker mentioned above were accurate at the time of writing on Feb. 18, 7:30 GMT.
