With the first round of the NBA Playoffs upon us, there is value to be found in series outrights in the conference quarterfinals. In the rugged Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors earned the #3 seed finishing behind the top seed in the East, the Atlantic Division Champions, the Boston Celtics. Milwaukee finished #6 in the Eastern Conference battling it out in a cannibalistic Central Division. The odds are provided by 5Dimes.
At first glance, home court advantage is of the essence in this series as the home team is 3-0 SU on the year. Additionally, in all Milwaukee and Toronto contests, the favorite went 3-0 ATS further reinforcing this notion. With the final edition of this series going to the Great White North if necessary, the popular inference is that the Raps will advance even if Mil-town makes this series a slobberknocker. However, we have dissenting opinions. Most of this derived from divisional play and quality of competition.
Toronto having its way in the Atlantic is not saying much as this division features three clubs that are among the worst in the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets finished with the worst record in the East at 20-62 and have been a debacle when on the road, as they finished with just seven wins on the road and three wins in the division. The list of franchises to round off the Atlantic, feature Philadelphia and New York who finished among the bottom four teams in the East. The Deers had to play a far contrasting docket as they had to navigate what is likely the deepest division in the NBA, the Central Division. On a regular basis, the Bucks were facing off with the defending champions the #2 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, the #7 seed Indiana and the #8 seed Chicago. Despite the rugged schedule, the Bucks finished 10-6 in divisional play and own some remarkable wins to sell their credentials. This includes a sweep of Western Conference stalwart Los Angeles Clippers, a road win at San Antonio and a poignant victory at the top dog of the Eastern Conference, Boston. In addition to their propensity to tackle giants, the Bucks own a true star at small forward, Giannis Antetokuonmpo. Giannis earned the honor of becoming the first player in NBA history to finish in the top-20 in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
