The Toronto Raptors are officially the underdogs, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers.
It’s an unfamiliar role for the squad.
In Sunday’s miracle win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the hometown hardwood heroes were 6-point favourites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com .
And while the Raps didn’t make the spread, they did win at the buzzer thanks to superstar Kawhi Leonard’s miraculous shot.
Now, it’s the Raptors turn to wear the underdog crown when the Eastern Conference final kicks off Wednesday in Milwaukee against the Bucks, who blew out the Boston Celtics in four straight.
Here’s what the odds oracles are saying:
THE SPORTING NEWS
The Bible of Baseball points to the Bucks depth, defence and perimeter shooting as the reason they’re favourites. Will a pumped-up Leonard derail the Bucks?
PREDICTION: BUCKS IN 6
NBA.COM
Micah Adams: Raptors in six; Carlan Gay: Bucks in six; Kyle Irving: Bucks in six; Gilbert McGregor: Raptors in seven; Alex Novick: Bucks in seven, and Scott Rafferty: Raptors in seven.
PREDICTION : Bucks in six or seven
VEGAS
Bucks are across the board favourites for Sin City prognosticators. The Bucks are +175 favourites to come out of the East, while the Raptors are +700.
PREDICTION: Bucks
HEAVY.COM
Is predicting the series will be sensational. However, they’re calling for the Bucks to triumph but if the Raps do win their hoop expert says the winner of this series will go all the way.
PREDICTION: BUCKS IN SEVEN
THE FAVOURITE
Even if the Raptors get past the Bucks, they will still have another mountain to climb: The Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are awesome. Oddsmakers think so too.
Let’s prove them wrong.
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