Best bets, player props to consider for Raptors-Bucks
With only one game on tap for Wednesday's NBA postseason slate, we dive into the best bets and player props to consider for Raptors-Bucks.
Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks
Line: Bucks -6.5
Total: 217.5
The only team to hit the 60-win mark during the regular season, Milwaukee took three of four against Toronto this year, winning by an average of 11 points per game. The Bucks' top-ranked scoring offense hasn't skipped a beat during the postseason, either. They're averaging 116.9 points through nine games, going over their team total in all but one. Meanwhile, the Raptors are the lowest-scoring team left in the playoffs, averaging just 103.6 points per game and are even worse on the road at 100.4.
The Bucks are well-rested, though that hasn't played well in their favor - they're 5-14-1 against the spread over their last 20 contests with three or more days between games. However, playoff teams at home with four or more days of rest are covering the spread better than 63 percent of the time since 2005.
Recent history favors the Raptors, considering the road team is 7-1 against the spread the last eight meetings between the two teams while the underdog has covered each of the previous seven. But we're not shying away from the Bucks in this spot.
Milwaukee minus the points and/or Raptors team total under 105.5 is the direction we're leaning for the series opener.
Khris Middleton Over/Under 19.5 points
Middleton surpassed this number in three of the first four games to open the postseason but has been held to under 20 points in four of the last six. He averaged roughly 16 shots from the floor per game during the regular season but saw that number dive to 10.5 in four meetings against the Raptors. Due to that dip in volume, he failed to surpass Wednesday's total in every outing versus Toronto this season.
Marc Gasol Over/Under 19.5 points + rebounds + assists
Gasol has combined for 20 or more points, rebounds, and assists just once over his last seven outings but he should have a good matchup against a Bucks defense that allowed the third-most points to opposing centers this season. Gasol played Milwaukee twice prior to being traded by the Memphis Grizzlies at the deadline, combining for 23 and 36 points, rebounds, and assists in those two outings, respectively.
Kawhi Leonard Over/Under 31.5
Leonard carried the Raptors to a Game 7 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round and is averaging a whopping 34.7 points per game over his last seven. However, he hasn't scored more than 30 points against the Bucks in any of his 10 career meetings.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.