The NBA Eastern Conference finals series is all tied up at two games apiece with Game 5 looming on Thursday night. The Milwaukee Bucks will have home-court advantage for the final three games and were the best team in the NBA during the regular season. Toronto looked really good on their home floor in the previous two games, but they must find a way to win on the road.
Toronto reached the conference finals by defeating the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors have been in this position in recent years, but this is their best shot to win it. Milwaukee is back in the Eastern Conference finals after a long time off, but they are a real contender. The Bucks had lost just one postseason game prior to this series. Milwaukee is a -7.0 point favorite over the Raptors in Game 5 of the series.
Kawhi Does it All For Toronto
The Raptors always felt that they were just one superstar away from an NBA title, and they have found that player in Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is scoring more than 32 points per game in the playoffs and is willing his team to victories with his play on both ends. Kyle Lowry put up a great effort in the Game 4 win as well, leading the team with 25 points. Toronto hasn’t been perfect in the last two games, but Lowry and Leonard are good enough to lead them.
Toronto doesn’t usually get much production from their bench, but their second unit was terrific in Game 4. Norman Powell scored 18 points, and Serge Ibaka chipped in with 17 points. The Raptors are shooting just 33 percent as a team from the three-point line, but their bench can help with those numbers. The Raptors are going to have to score points to keep up with the Bucks in Game 5.
Bucks Need Scoring From Hill, Brogdon
The Milwaukee Bucks have a pair of All-Stars in their starting lineup, but their bench has been a key for them throughout the playoffs. George Hill and Malcolm Brogdon have had some great performances, but they struggled in game four. Brogdon and Hill combined to score just nine points in that loss, and that is a recipe for disaster for Milwaukee. The Bucks are getting more than 30 points per game from their bench, and they need them again in Game 5.
Khris Middleton did all that he could in the Game 4 loss, but it wasn’t enough. Middleton had a game-high 30 points in the loss and missed just four shots. Giannis Antetokounmpo responded with 25 points in Game 4 and leads the Bucks in almost every category this postseason. These two All-Stars will need to have huge games to push the Bucks to a Game 5 win.
Milwaukee Pulls Off Game 5 Victory
Home teams have won the first four games of this series, and that trend should continue into Game 5. The Bucks have just been absolutely dominant at home against the Raptors, and they will get some great play from their bench. Leonard is doing it all for the Raptors, but he will wear down eventually. Bet the Milwaukee Bucks -7.0 over the Toronto Raptors in Game 5.
