Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks

What a great weekend if you are a fan of the Raptors. That was easily the best two-game stretch they have had this year and they did it without Jose Calderon and Jermaine O’Neal. The guard play has been excellent and there has been strong efforts off the wing. Chris Bosh has been a leader and the defense has been almost perfect. Yesterday when the Magic made their push, the Raps did not fold like they have done so many times this year and got clutch hoops. So what does it all mean? Well nothing if they lay an egg tonight in Milwaukee. This is the time to start stringing together some wins and even though the Bucks are playing better this year, they are not automatic at home. If the Raps can play the same as they have the last two games, they have a great shot to win. Stopping Redd, RJ and Bogut is the key and hopefully the Bucks will do their classic forget about Bogut on the block format. But then again the Bucks big man missed the last game with back spasms so he may not even play tonight. Hopes are high once again in Raptors nation but as we all know, it can go away as fast as Jamario Moon hot streak.

Here is everything you need to know for tonight’s game.

The Goods

  • The Raptors seek their first three-game winning streak since their 3-0 start when they open a brief road trip in Milwaukee, where the Bucks have won six of their last seven.
  • Toronto has been one of the NBA’s more disappointing teams this season, losing 13 of its last 17 games in 2008 and spending time in the Atlantic Division cellar.
  • The Raps third victory of the season was a 91-87 win at Milwaukee in the Bucks’ home opener. But the Bucks have gone 9-4 at the Bradley Center since then, with the only losses to Phoenix, Boston, Cleveland and Detroit.
  • Since the beginning of December, they’re 6-1 at home, holding opponents under 90 points per game and focusing more on defense under first-year coach Scott Skiles.
  • Milwaukee will try to end a three-game losing streak against the Raptors. The Bucks lost twice in Toronto by an average of 24.5 points to close last season’s series, with Bosh scoring 32 points each time.

For Bettors

  • Under is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings.
  • Raptors are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
  • Underdog is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

Prediction

As well as the Raps have played, it is hard to imagine it will continue on the road, especially without JO and Jose. The Bucks have been tough at home and are getting the Raps on a back-to-back after a draining win over the Magic. Toronto will give it all they got but in the end will fade giving the Bucks a 96-90 win on a Monday night on Raptors TV.

Other Links

Cuzoogle - We are giving away a Jose Calderon jersey.
Raptors Republic - All is fine in Raptorland.
Toronto Sun - Carlos Delfino could return?
Raptors HQ - 3 in the key game day preview.
Raptors Forum - Raps-Bucks pre-game.
Hoop Head North - We will…..we will…..Roko U.

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