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After Giving Away Game 1, Raptors’ NBA Championship Odds the Worst They’ve Been Since Mid-October

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in NBA Basketball

Updated Mar 24, 2020 · 11:11 AM PDT

Kyle LOwry
Can Kyle Lowry lead the Raptors to their first NBA title? Photo by Michal Kajzerek (flickr) [CC License].
  • The Raptors lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Milwaukee Bucks
  • Toronto’s record in Game 1’s is now 3-15
  • Is there value on the Raptors?

Kawhi Leonard hit an incredible shot at the buzzer of Game 7 to help lead the Toronto Raptors past the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, the Raptors are taking on the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, and things haven’t gone quite so smoothly.

In Game 1, Toronto had a ton of success early on and was leading for most of the game. However, the fourth quarter came and the Bucks started hitting their shots and the Raptors did not. In the end, Milwaukee won 108-100.

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Toronto now has the third-best NBA Championship odds of the four remaining teams. Their odds are the longest they’ve been since October.

2019 NBA Championship Odds

Team 2019 NBA Championship Odds
Golden State Warriors -185
Milwaukee Bucks +190
Toronto Raptors +1200
Portland Trail Blazers +3000

*Odds taken 05/16/19

The path to winning the NBA Championship will still go through California, it appears. There is no question the Golden State Warriors will be playing for another ring. I believe they will get past Portland easily in five or six games. But, who they will play against is uncertain. The Bucks took Game 1, which I believe the Raptors needed to win in order to win this series.

I believe Milwaukee will win Game 2, and split the next two in Toronto to take a 3-1 lead, where the Bucks will either win in five or six. With that, I don’t think there is value on the Raptors unless they happen to win Game 2. If they can steal a game from the Bucks in Milwaukee they will be in a good position to win the series.

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Now, in the Finals, the Bucks could pose a real problem to the Warriors. Giannis Antetokounmpo is an absolute freak of nature and he could very well be the MVP this season. He is only getting better and has shown he can help carry a team.

The Warriors have shown no signs of slowing down and still have a dominant team, as evidenced by their breezy Game 1 win over the Blazers.

However, I do think the Warriors will win it all again this year. They have shown no signs of slowing down and still have a dominant team, as evidenced by their breezy Game 1 win over their Blazers. But there is some value at +190 on the Bucks as they could surprise some people.

Pick: Golden State Warriors (-185)

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