Raptors vs Bucks: Eastern Conference Showdown Amidst Struggles for Both Teams

The Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks are set to face off in an Eastern Conference matchup on Tuesday, November 12, at Fiserv Forum, despite both teams struggling early in the season. The Raptors, with a record of 2-9, and the Bucks, at 2-8, find themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, sitting 15th and 14th respectively.

The Raptors are in the midst of a challenging road trip, having lost all four of their previous road games and standing at 0-6 on the road this season. Their last loss was a 123-103 defeat to the LA Lakers, with Chris Boucher, RJ Barrett, and Ochai Agbaji leading the scoring efforts.

On the other hand, the Bucks have also been struggling, losing their last two games, including a 113-107 home loss to the Boston Celtics. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a standout performance with 43 points and 13 rebounds, but it was not enough to secure a win.

Both teams are dealing with significant injuries. The Bucks will be without Damian Lillard due to a concussion and may also be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is a likely game-time decision. The Raptors are missing key players such as Scottie Barnes, Bruce Brown, and Kelly Olynyk.

Despite these challenges, the Raptors have shown a high-tempo offense, ranking seventh in scoring with 115.3 points per game. RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick have been particularly effective, averaging 23.1 and 19 points per game, respectively. However, their defensive struggles, ranking last in defensive rating, remain a significant concern.

The Bucks, meanwhile, are struggling on both ends of the court. Their defense has not been the same since the Jrue Holiday trade, ranking 22nd in defensive rating, and their offense is ranked 20th in scoring. The absence of key players further complicates their situation.

Betting predictions suggest that the Raptors might cover the spread, given their competitive nature and the Bucks’ current injuries. The over/under is set at 226.5 points, with some analysts predicting the under due to the potential impact of injuries on both teams’ scoring capabilities.