The Eastern Conference will have a new representative in the NBA Finals this season, and it will be either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors. Milwaukee will host the first two games after having the best record in the league during the regular season. Toronto has won games on the road already this postseason, and will look to do it again in game one on Wednesday night.
Milwaukee hasn’t been tested much in the playoffs, and have lost just one game. The Bucks swept the Detroit Pistons in four games, and then eliminated the Boston Celtics in five. Toronto got past the Orlando Magic in five games, and then had to grind out a win in a game seven against the Philadelphia 76ers. This should be an excellent series. Milwaukee is a -6.0 point favorite over the Toronto Raptors in the series opener.
Kawhi Doing Everything For Raptors
Kawhi Leonard has a history of stepping up his game in the playoffs, but he is playing out of his mind this season. Leonard is averaging more than 32 points per game in the postseason, and poured in 41 points in the series clinching victory over the 76ers. The former NBA Finals MVP will be tasked with guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo in this series, and that might affect his play on the offensive end of the floor.
Pascal Siakam looked like a future All-Star in the first round series against the Magic, but has struggled of late. Siakam has just 11 points on 11 field goal attempts in the game seven victory, and will need to play much better in this series. Point guard Kyle Lowry is averaging 7.1 assists per game in the postseason, but has scored just 12 points per game. These two players must play well in this series if the Raptors will have a chance.
Bucks Can Really Shoot It
The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 117 points per game in the playoffs, and their three-point shooting is a big reason why. Milwaukee is making over 13 three-point shots per game, and are shooting 37 percent from deep as a team. The return of point guard Malcolm Brogdon gives this team another scoring option, and they also have a terrific bench. The Bucks can score with anyone, and they want to play fast.
The “Greek Freak” has absolutely dominated in the first two series in these playoffs, and will look to over power the Raptors as well. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game in the postseason, and can get to the rim whenever he wants to. This head-to-head matchup between Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard will likely decide the series.
Milwaukee Looks Sharp in Game One
The Bucks have had a long time to think about playing in the Eastern Conference Finals, and they will be ready for game one. Milwaukee is the best offensive team in the NBA, and their depth should be a huge advantage against the Raptors. Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors will be competitive in this series, but not in game one. Bet the Milwaukee Bucks -6.0 over the Toronto Raptors in the series opener.
