Milwaukee Bucks vs Toronto Raptors Picks and Predictions November 12th 2024

Bucks vs Raptors November 12th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Toronto Raptors will travel to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. The Raptors are currently on a four-game losing streak and have a record of 2-9. They are 15th in the Eastern Conference and 5th in the Atlantic Division. Toronto is a +249 underdog with a spread of +7.5.

The Bucks are 2-8 and are favored by 7.5 points. They are -306 on the moneyline. This Eastern Conference matchup will be played at Fiserv Forum and can be seen on TSN.

Raptors vs. Bucks Key Information

The Raptors fell to 2-9 on the season after a 123-103 loss to the Lakers on Sunday. Toronto, who were +10 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 226 points was 10.5 points under the O/U line of 236.5.

Toronto started strong, leading 34-26 after the 1st quarter, but the Lakers took control from there. L.A. outscored the Raptors 27-21 in the 2nd quarter and 35-27 in the 3rd. Heading into the 4th quarter down 88-82, Toronto was outscored 35-21 in the final period.

In their 123-103 loss to the Lakers, the Raptors’ offense struggled, shooting 45.1% from the field and hitting just 10 threes at a 34.5% clip. RJ Barrett and Chris Boucher led the way with 18 points each, with Barrett scoring 10 in the opening quarter.

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Ochai Agbaji added 16 points, connecting on 4 threes at 80% efficiency. Gradey Dick and Jakob Pöltl both contributed 14 points, while Immanuel Quickley chipped in 12, scoring 5 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Defensively, the Raptors struggled in the 3rd and 4th quarters, giving up 35 points in each, contributing to their 123-103 loss to the Lakers. Toronto allowed Los Angeles to shoot 51% from the field.

The Raptors did well in limiting the Lakers’ three-point shooting, holding them to 32% with 12 made threes. Toronto recorded 28 defensive rebounds but managed just 2 steals and 2 blocks.

The Bucks dropped to 2-8 on the season after a 113-107 home loss to the Celtics on Sunday. Milwaukee, who came in as +5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 220 points fell short of the 229-point over/under line.

Milwaukee started strong, going on an 11-0 run early and leading 40-30 after the 1st quarter. They edged Boston 29-28 in the 2nd quarter but faltered in the 3rd, getting outscored 29-15. The Bucks entered the 4th down 87-84 and were outscored 26-23 in the final period.

Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 43 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 62.1% from the field in the Bucks’ 113-107 loss to the Celtics. He scored 19 points in the 1st quarter and added 13 more in the 4th. Bobby Portis contributed 15 points, while Damian Lillard struggled, shooting just 26.7% and finishing with 14 points.

As a team, the Bucks shot 48.1% from the field and hit 13 threes at a 40.6% clip. AJ Green chipped in 12 points, with 6 coming in the 2nd quarter.

Defensively, the Bucks allowed 113 points to the Celtics, giving up 30 in the 1st quarter and 28 in the 2nd. They tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 26 points. Overall, Milwaukee held Boston to 40% shooting.

The Bucks struggled to defend the three, with the Celtics hitting 19 threes at a 38% clip. Milwaukee also sent Boston to the line 27 times, where they made 24 free throws. The Bucks recorded 9 steals and 8 blocks.

As the underdogs with a spread of +7.5, we recommend going with the Raptors on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 227.5, and our model projects the Raptors and Bucks to reach a combined total of 215 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

Bucks and Raptors Look to Turn Things Around in NBA Cup Opener

Two struggling Eastern Conference teams are set to face off as the Milwaukee Bucks host the injury-riddled Toronto Raptors in the opening game of the Emirates NBA Cup on Tuesday night. While Toronto’s early-season woes were somewhat expected, the Bucks’ surprising 2-8 start has raised eyebrows across the league.

Bucks Desperate to Climb Out of Their Early-Season Slump

The Milwaukee Bucks entered the season with high expectations, but so far, things have not gone according to plan. After a tough loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Bucks coach Doc Rivers was candid about the team’s struggles. “We gotta get out of this hole that we created. We created it—me, them, together,” Rivers said. “I have no doubt that we will. We have to play ourselves out of this hole.”

Despite their disappointing record, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been in MVP form, scoring 43 points against the Celtics and averaging 31.6 points per game this season. Over his last five games, that average has increased to 33.8 points. However, even Giannis’ heroics haven’t been enough to propel the Bucks to victory.

Damian Lillard, who was brought in to form a new Big Three with Giannis and Khris Middleton, has been inconsistent. Lillard was held to just 14 points against Boston, far below his season average of 26 points. Rivers acknowledged that the team’s issues go beyond individual performances:

“It’s my job to make sure we keep going and playing at the right pace. We didn’t do that.”

The Bucks are hopeful that Middleton, who’s been sidelined with an ankle injury, will be back soon. His return could provide the spark Milwaukee desperately needs.

Injury-Plagued Raptors Struggling to Find Their Rhythm

The Toronto Raptors are dealing with a tough stretch of their own, having lost four straight games on their current road trip. Injuries have been a major issue, with key players like Bruce Brown (knee) and Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture) sidelined. Barnes is expected to be out until at least Thanksgiving, which adds to the challenges facing coach Darko Rajakovic.

Despite the injuries, RJ Barrett has been a bright spot since returning from a brief absence, while Immanuel Quickley is still adjusting after missing eight games with a pelvis injury. Coach Rajakovic is using this challenging period as a learning experience for his young team:

“They are learning how to play off of each other. We have to use this as a learning opportunity.”

One area where the Raptors have excelled is their 2-point shooting, where they lead the league at 65.1%. Center Jakob Poeltl has been solid, averaging a double-double, but Toronto’s defensive struggles are a major concern. They currently have the worst defensive rating in the NBA at 120.0.

Key Matchup: Bucks’ Big Three vs. Raptors’ Scrappy Defense

With Giannis playing at an elite level and Lillard looking to bounce back, the Bucks will be eager to exploit Toronto’s porous defense. If Middleton returns, Milwaukee’s offense could be even more dangerous. The Raptors, however, will rely on their strong inside game and Poeltl’s presence in the paint to keep things close.

Toronto’s ability to adapt to injuries and the chemistry between Barrett and Quickley will be crucial if they hope to pull off an upset. Given their defensive struggles, the Raptors will need a much more disciplined performance to contain Milwaukee’s star-studded lineup.

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What’s at Stake in the NBA Cup?

This game also marks the start of the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament now in its second year. Last season, the Bucks went 4-0 in group play before falling in the semifinals, while the Raptors finished a disappointing 1-3. For both teams, a strong start in the NBA Cup could be the spark they need to turn their seasons around.

While the Bucks are focused on climbing out of their early-season hole, the Raptors are taking a more patient approach. Rajakovic emphasized that it’s still early: “It’s hard to make any conclusions after 10-11 games. We are really investing in developing the young players that we have.”

Can the Bucks Get Back on Track?

The Bucks, with the home-court advantage and the possibility of Middleton’s return, are in a prime position to grab a much-needed win. For the Raptors, it’s about finding a way to piece together a complete game despite their injuries.

Will Giannis continue his dominant run and lead Milwaukee to a victory, or will the resilient Raptors find a way to exploit the Bucks’ early-season vulnerabilities? This NBA Cup opener promises to be an intriguing clash between two teams with plenty to prove.