Raptors vs Bucks Prediction, picks and odds for tonight’s NBA game

Don’t let the Toronto Raptors get hot! Well, you probably still can, but the Raptors have won two in a row and will try to make it three straight when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks as 11.5 point underdogs tonight.

One of the guys that has helped get those wins has been Gradey Dick, who is the standout sophomore. The sharpshooter is finding his rhythm, and my Raptors vs. Buck’s predictions have a specific player support backing him.

Check out my NBA picks for this Eastern Conference game that will tip off at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, January 17.

Raptors vs Bucks Prediction

My Raptors pick
Gradey Dick Over 2.5 Threes (+140 at PointsBet Canada)

My analysis

Toronto Raptors fans may be a little conflicted. Yes, back-to-back wins over the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics are fun, but it also comes at the cost of losing ground in the race for the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Either way, the Raptors are currently making a better effort on the court as of late. If they can extend that streak tonight, it will mean they upset the Milwaukee Bucks as 11.5-point underdogs.

The Raps and Bucks have already played twice this season, and neither game was very close. The Bucks won a 99-85 defensive rout in Milwaukee as 9-point home favorites on Nov. 12, and they followed that up with a 128-104 victory in Toronto on Jan. 6 as 6-point road favorites.

If the Raptors want to buck that trend (excuse the bad pun), they will need to continue to shoot the ball well, especially on the perimeter. That’s where you want to attack the Bucks. Not only does that keep you far away from Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee comes into this game ranked 22nd in both opponent 3-point attempts and 3-pointers per. game while also sitting 16th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

It makes me look at the Raptors’ Gradey Dick. The sophomore sharpshooter has found his rhythm again. Dick is shooting 37.3% from 3-point range on 6.4 attempts per game over his last eight games, which includes going 3-for-9 from beyond the arc in the Jan. 6 meeting.

With both of these teams also ranked in the top half of the league when it comes to pace of play, that should mean plenty of opportunities for Dick to rack up some treys in this game.

Raptors vs Bucks parlay in same game

Gradey Dick Over 2.5 threes

Damian Lillard Over 3.5 threes

Birds of prey +11.5

Dick might not be the only shooter to light up tonight. Damian Lillard has been on fire since returning from a calf injury, shooting 43.6% from 3-point range over his last 10 games. He’s also hit 4+ threes four times over that stretch, which includes cooking the Raptors by going 5-of-8 from downtown when they last met.

He’ll have a great chance to stay hot with Toronto ranked 23rd in opponent 3-point attempts per game and 24th in opponent 3-point percentage.

That said, the Raptors are playing better at the moment and have covered the spread in three of their last four games against some of the best teams in the NBA. While the Bucks are playing well, they have been favored by double digits three times since the start of December — and are 0-3 ATS in those contests.

Give me the Raptors getting all those points.

Learn how to bet on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.