NBA Playoffs: Bucks, Raptors Still Odds-On Favorites Over Celtics, 76ers Without Home-Court Advantage

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers accomplished exactly what they had to in the first two games of their respective second-round playoff series. The teams went on the road and took a split from the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors before heading home for Game 3 of the conference semifinals.

The underdogs certainly improved their chances of advancing to the next round, but they aren't expected to have a playoff rematch in the East Finals just yet.

Despite relinquishing home-court advantage, Milwaukee and Toronto remain the odds-on favorites. Depending on the sportsbook, both teams have somewhere around 1/2 odds to take care of business over the next five games.

Milwaukee entered the postseason as the clear betting favorites in the East. Led by MVP favorite Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks led every NBA team with 60 regular-season wins. They blew the rest of the league away when it came to point differential and were the only team that boasted an offense and defense that ranked in the top four.

Toronto had the NBA's second-best record. Even as Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry missed a bunch of games, the Raptors still went 58-24.

Leonard has proven to be among the best playoff performers in recent memory, and he's been the East’s top star this postseason. Even in a Game 2 loss at home, the 2014 NBA Finals MVP was terrific with 35 points. If he continues to play that way, the 76ers might not have much of a chance, especially considering the way Joel Embiid has struggled at times in the playoffs.

Antetokounmpo bounced back with 29 points on 16 field-goal attempts after a poor showing in the series opener against Boston. Kyrie Irving had just nine points after scoring 26 points in Game 1.

Neither game in the series between Milwaukee and Boston has been close. Toronto routed Philadelphia in Game 1 and was narrowly defeated in Game 2.

The Celtics have reached the conference finals in two straight seasons. The Bucks haven't gotten there since 2001.

The Raptors’ starting lineup is made up of players that have experience deep in the postseason. Jimmy Butler lead’s Philadelphia in playoff experience and it showed in his 30-point Game 2 performance.