Toronto-raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions January 6th 2025

Bucks Searching for Their Old Selves on Visit to Raptors

The Milwaukee Bucks, fresh off their NBA Cup victory in Las Vegas, are looking to rediscover their rhythm as they face the Toronto Raptors on Monday night in Toronto.

Bucks’ Post-Vegas Struggles

Since defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to clinch the NBA Cup on Dec. 17, the Bucks (3-5 in their last eight games) have struggled to regain their championship form. Their recent woes include a 105-102 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, which followed a narrow 113-110 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

“We’re not playing well,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led Milwaukee with 31 points on Saturday. “Before Vegas, we figured some things out, had a great rhythm. After Vegas, I think we kind of took a dip, digging ourselves again into a hole. … We’ve got to lock in as a team, play harder, compete, try to get the next one.”

Defensive and Offensive Challenges

Bucks coach Doc Rivers echoed Antetokounmpo’s concerns, highlighting issues on both ends of the floor.

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“Defensively, we’re getting beat off the dribble over and over again. Getting beat off the glass,” Rivers said. “Offensively, I don’t see us playing with much pace. We’re not getting in the paint much.”

Raptors’ Recent Struggles

The Raptors (1-12 in their past 13 games) are also navigating a difficult stretch. Their 106-97 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday came just days after snapping an 11-game losing streak with a 130-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

The Raptors allowed the Magic to shoot 43.2 percent (19-for-44) from beyond the arc, including a blistering 64.3 percent (9-for-14) in the first quarter.

“We just did not get close enough to shooters that we identified as shooters,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “The first quarter was really the biggest difference there.”

Center Jakob Poeltl, who led Toronto with 25 points against Orlando, cited defensive lapses as a major issue. “We messed up some scouting report stuff. There were a couple times where we just didn’t close aggressively enough, and they got 3 out of it.”

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Key Players to Watch

• Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be Milwaukee’s anchor, while Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard will aim to provide additional firepower.
• Raptors: Immanuel Quickley’s return has been a bright spot for Toronto. In his two games back after missing 22 due to an elbow injury, he has averaged 16 points and 13 assists.

Team Records at a Glance

• The Bucks are 6-9 on the road this season, highlighting their struggles away from home.
• The Raptors hold a 7-12 record at Scotiabank Arena, leaving much room for improvement on their home court.

Outlook

Both teams are seeking consistency, making this matchup crucial for gaining momentum as the season progresses. With Antetokounmpo’s leadership and Quickley’s impact for Toronto, expect a competitive clash as each team tries to address its respective shortcomings.