Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks Game 2: Prediction, Betting Odds, Preview For 2019 NBA Playoffs

The Toronto Raptors blew a shot to steal home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals in the series opener. They might never get that chance again as they enter Game 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks as heavy underdogs.

The Bucks are significant favorites to reach the 2019 NBA Finals, and they are laying 6.5 points in Friday night’s contest, according to OddsShark. The total is 216, following Milwaukee’s 108-100 Game 1 victory.

Toronto was in control of Wednesday’s contest for most of the way, jumping out to an 11-point lead after the first quarter and owning a seven-point edge at the start of the fourth quarter. Things fell apart in the final 12 minutes when Kyle Lowry was the only Raptor to make a field goal.

Lowry put together one of his best playoff performances ever, scoring 30 points on 10-15 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and two assists. Despite struggling to make plays down the stretch, Kawhi Leonard still finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

It’s hard to imagine Toronto will get more than that from the two veterans Friday night, and that will make tying up the series even more difficult.

Milwaukee did what it’s done all season long. They’ve been the NBA’s best team with Giannis Antetokounmpo bullying his way to the paint and either scoring or hitting open three-point shooters. The Bucks have played terrific defense, as well, which is why they’ve managed to outplay the 58-win Raptors.

Antetokounmpo’s 24 points, 14 rebounds and six assists represented another night at the office for the likely regular-season MVP. Milwaukee missed a large portion of their early threes, but they heated up in the second half to finish 11-44 from behind the arc. The Bucks rebounded to hit big shots when they needed them most, and the Raptors will be hard-pressed to limit Milwaukee to 25 percent shooting from three for another night.

Brook Lopez was the game’s X-factor with 29 points on 12-21 shooting. You can bet that someone else will step into that role in Game 2.

Maybe it will be Khris Middleton or Eric Bledsoe, who only made seven of their combined 24 attempts. Malcolm Brogdon was a game-high plus-18 with 15 points on five-of-nine shooting, and he could play an even bigger role after just his second playoff game.

The Raptors can’t rely on one or two of their role players to carry a similar burden. Marc Gasol and Danny Green continue to be non-scoring threats. Pascal Siakam missed 14 of his 20 shots, and Antetokounmpo will continue to force him to work hard to find clean looks. Lowry is likely in for a regression Friday.

Aside from Serge Ibaka’s big Game 7, Toronto’s bench was a virtual zero in the second round. The unit totaled 12 points on 15 field-goal attempts in Game 1.

All signs are pointing to a 2-0 series lead for Milwaukee before the series heads to Toronto.

Game 2 Prediction: Milwaukee over Toronto, 112-99