Raptors vs. Bucks Tuesday NBA injury report, odds: Spread drops three points with Giannis Antetokounmpo out again
The Toronto Raptors catch a break in Milwaukee tonight.
loading...
loading...
The Toronto Raptors have played two previous road-road back-to-backs this season and lost the second game in both cases. They're in the same scenario Tuesday night in Milwaukee, but they've caught a break -- Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss a third straight game with left knee soreness. That has dropped the spread from Milwaukee -5 to -2 at Caesars Sportsbook. The total has fallen from 224 to 222 points.
Antetokounmpo originally was expected to play Monday against Indiana and even went through pregame warmups before being scratched. There's no reason to rush him back about 24 hours later – especially with the Bucks off until Saturday, which would give the two-time MVP nine days between games. He last took the court on Jan. 11.
Milwaukee is 1-2 during this stretch without Antetokounmpo. The Bucks lost two games in Miami and fell behind by 11 at the half Monday against the visiting Pacers before exploding in the second half and wining 132-119. Jrue Holiday had a season-high 35 points to go with 11 assists in the win and has three straight double-doubles. He's averaging 23.7 points and 10.7 assists.
Khris Middleton remains out for the Bucks as well, but is getting close to a return. He was sent to the G-League today to rehab. The three-time All-Star has missed the last month due to right knee soreness and has only played seven games this season. Reserve Joe Ingles sat Monday but is not on the injury report tonight. Toronto isn't listing anyone of note on the injury report and comes off an overtime upset win at the Knicks on Monday.
One of the ugliest games of the year took place on Jan. 4 in Toronto when the Bucks were without Holiday and Middleton but won 104-101 in overtime – despite blowing a 90-69 lead with less than four minutes left in regulation. Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 10 assists and a season-high 21 rebounds, but the Bucks were just 35-for-88 from the field (39.8%) and the Raptors a truly brutal 38-for-116 (32.8%).
The first quarter saw just 25 total points scored. The Raptors shot 2-for-23 in the first and the Bucks went 5-for-24 as the teams combined for more turnovers (10) than made baskets. Toronto has won its past five in Milwaukee.
Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.