Raptors vs. Bucks Wednesday NBA injury report, odds: Spread drops 4 points with Giannis Antetokounmpo out

The Milwaukee Bucks were set to have a solid advantage tonight at home against the visiting Raptors because it was the second of a back-to-back for Toronto and the Bucks opened as 7.5-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook with a total of 226, but with two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo now ruled out, the Bucks are -3.5 and the total is down to 221.5. Click here for model picks. 

Antetokounmpo was a late addition to Wednesday's injury report with an illness but the good news is that it's not COVID-related (for now). That obviously a huge break for Toronto as Giannis had scored at least 30 points in a season-high three consecutive games. In five games since returning from the health and safety protocols, Antetokounmpo was averaging 32.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field.

The Bucks also have head coach Mike Budenholzer and guards Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton sidelined in health and safety protocols, while Donte DiVincenzo and Brook Lopez are out injured. Jordan Nwora and Semi Ojeleye are both questionable tonight. Darvin Ham will serve as the acting head coach.

Toronto is good shape COVID-wise and injury-wise for the first time in weeks with every key player back and the Raptors have responded by winning three straight games and are .500 for the first time since they were 7-7 on Nov. 13. Fred VanVleet is averaging 33.0 points and shooting 49.3 percent from the field over the past three and Pascal Siakam has three straight double-doubles and averaging 21.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists in that span.

The Raptors had little trouble beating the visiting Spurs on Tuesday and are 3-2 straight up in the second of a back-to-back this season. Toronto beat Milwaukee in the lone meeting this season 97-93 on Dec. 2 north of the border. Giannis missed that one, too. VanVleet had 29 points and Siakam 20. Connaughton and Allen combined for 17 in the loss.

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