The Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Toronto Raptors into town Friday evening.
The pregame narrative: Like most of the season, Toronto is the heavy underdog against a powerhouse in the East. I’m still backing the Raps to cover with some buffer zone points. Player prop bets on RJ Barrett and Giannis Antetokounmpo round out this +340 ticket.
Check out these Raptors vs. Bucks same-game parlay predictions for Jan. 17.
Raptors vs. Bucks predictions
Go to full NBA betting markets
Parlay: Raptors +16 + Barrett over 5.5 rebounds + Antetokounmpo under 29.5 points (+340)
Raptors +16 (-225): Don’t look now, but the Raptors are on a two-game win streak — including a victory against the defending champion Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Toronto certainly isn’t competing for a playoff spot this season, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been competitive.
The Raps are 23-17-1 ATS, the sixth-best record in the NBA, despite owning the fourth-worst overall record (10-31).
I’m riding what might be the most momentum the Raptors have had all season in tonight’s matchup.
Toronto will still be without Immanuel Quickley (groin), but Davion Mitchell has stepped in effortlessly in Quickley’s absence.
The Raps have covered this number in five straight contests.
SGP legs
Antetokounmpo under 29.5 points (-110): I realize it’s normally hard to make money fading one of the NBA’s superstars. But this is a classic fade spot if I’ve ever seen one.
The Bucks have picked up back-to-back convincing wins against the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic — two teams in the playoff mix — after getting smoked by the New York Knicks on Jan. 12
Giannis had 26 points in 29 minutes against Orlando, resting the fourth quarter two days ago. I could see a similar stat line tonight where Doc Rivers elects to bench the two-time MVP, if able.
Historically, the Raptors have guarded The Greek Freak well.
Giannis is averaging 23.2 PPG in his last 10 games against Toronto, falling under this total in four straight against the Raps.
Barrett over 5.5 rebounds (-155): Barrett is having a fantastic season, with career-high averages in multiple categories.
- Field goals: 8.3
- Rebounds: 6.7
- Assists: 5.9
- Points: 22.4
He’s coming off an impressive 22-point, 10-rebound double-double in the win against Boston.
The Raptors will need the hometown boy to be as productive tonight in another tough matchup.
One chink in Milwaukee’s armour is its rebounding. According to Betting Pros, the Bucks allow the second-most rebounds to opposing small forwards (8.44).
Picks made at 11:20 a.m. ET on 01/17/2025.
