Raptors Still Getting +220 Odds to Beat Bucks in Eastern Conference Finals After Evening Series
- The Toronto Raptors won twice at home to pull even at 2-2 with the Milwaukee Bucks
- The Raptors remain +220 underdogs to win the NBA Eastern Conference title
- Toronto has never rallied to win a playoff series after falling behind 2-0
For the first time in the NBA playoffs, the Toronto Raptors found a path to victory that wasn’t entirely predicated around the feats of Kawhi Leonard.
A balanced attack led Toronto to a decisive 120-102 victory of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Six Raptors hit for double figures, led by Kyle Lowry’s 25 points. Toronto’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s subs 48-23.
Leonard, who was obviously hobbled, scored 19 points. He’d netted at least 31 points in each of the first three games of this series.
The sportsbooks, though, are taking a Shania Twain viewpoint of Toronto’s back-to-back wins. It don’t impress them much.
The Bucks are still listed as the -270 chalk to take the series. Toronto’s odds of advancing to the NBA final are set at +220.
2019 Eastern Conference Finals Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | -270 |
| Toronto Raptors | +220 |
*Odds taken 05/22/19
There’s been some swing in the odds since the Raptors won Game 3 118-112 in double-overtime. Toronto was +425 to win the series after that game. The Bucks were listed at odds of -650 to win the set.
Raptors Hold Service
There’s an old theory about the playoffs that suggests it isn’t a series until one team wins in the other team’s stadium. That hasn’t happened yet in this set and that might explain the reluctance of the oddsmakers to go all-in on Toronto.
The @Raptors WIN Game 4, topping the @Bucks 120 – 102 to tie up the series (2-2)!
Lowry: 25 PTS, 3 3PT, 6 AST, 5 REB
Leonard: 19 PTS, 7 REB, 4 STL
Powell: 18 PTS, 4 3PT, 5 REB, 3 AST
Gasol: 17 PTS, 3 3PT, 7 AST, 5 REB
Ibaka: 17 PTS, 13 REB
VanVleet: 13 PTS, 3 3PT, 6 AST pic.twitter.com/G5wYCVpeKd— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) May 22, 2019
Perhaps if the Raptors go into Milwaukee and take Game 5, Toronto will finally be given the favorite’s odds.
What About Kawhi?
Leonard insisted that he was fine but the evidence suggested otherwise. He was hurt in Game 4 when he landed awkwardly on his left leg after throwing down a third-quarter dunk over Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Though Leonard was limping noticeably, the Raptors sought to downplay the severity of his ailment. Toronto coach Nick Nurse insisted he didn’t notice any difference with Leonard.
The Bucks weren’t about to cut Leonard any slack. They double and triple-teamed him at times during the game. The rest of the Raptors were able to pick up Leonard in Game 4 but a sub-par Kawhi is a recipe for disaster for the Raptors.
How Will the Bucks Respond?
Milwaukee cruised through the first two playoff rounds, winning eight of nine games. This is the first time that the Bucks have lost consecutive games.
Antetokounmpo is touted as this year’s MVP, and it’s moments like this when the greats put their stamp on a series.
Prior to Game 4, Milwaukee was 22-1 after a loss.
The Bucks have responded well all season when facing adversity. And with Leonard at less than 100 percent, you still have to like Milwaukee to win this series, and you’ll never get a better price on them than right now.
Pick: Milwaukee Buck (-270)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
