It has been a rocky path for Damian Lillard since he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks last season. However, there have been some encouraging signs for both Lillard individually and this Bucks team as of late.
Entering tonight’s game, the Bucks hold a 17-16 record, which puts them at fifth place in the Eastern Conference. After starting the year 1-6 over their first seven games, they have turned things around and are 14-7 over their past 21. Milwaukee will now prepare to face the Toronto Raptors tonight. This matchup is taking place in Canada.
The Bucks also received some injury news as Khris Middleton’s ankle injuries have once again popped up. The 33-year-old has been limited to just 12 games this season and is set to miss at least tonight’s matchup with what is being labeled as ankle tendinitis. Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable with a knee injury, and Andre Jackson Jr. is also questionable with an illness. Antetokounmpo has been battling this knee issue for the past few weeks but has played each of the last three games for the Bucks.
The Bucks enter this game as 7-point favorites and -285 on the Moneyline. The Raptors hold +230 odds on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 229.5.
Best Damian Lillard Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Lillard’s props are listed at over/under 25.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 3.5 made three-pointers and 37.5 combined points, rebounds and assists.
Damian Lillard Over 25.5 Points (-110)
In his second season with Milwaukee, Lillard is averaging 24.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. He is shooting 43.1% from the floor and 36.2% from beyond the three-point arc, while attempting 9.3 perimeter shots per game. This comes out to an average of 3.4 made three-pointers per game.
The Toronto Raptors will be far from the most intimidating defense he has faced. So far this season, the Raptors rank 27th in opponents’ points allowed and 20th in opponents’ field goal percentage. This will be the second matchup between these two teams, but Lillard missed the first due to injury.
Lillard has scored over 25.5 points in 12 of the 26 games this season. While he has been held below this number in three consecutive games, the Bucks’ star guard has battled some notable shooting struggles. The eight-time All-Star has shot 33.3% or worse in each of the previous three games with field goal outputs of 5-15, 6-20, and 3-14.
The struggling Raptors’ defense is the perfect cure for this slump. Lillard should find some success tonight against this porous defense. There is plenty of offensive responsibility on his shoulders already, and this will be magnified without the 12.7 points per game that Middleton produces. Expect a breakout performance from Lillard as he has some better success shooting the basketball and for him to score over 25.5 points tonight.
Damian Lillard 5+ Made Three-Pointers (+155)
To take it a step further, look for Lillard to knock down five or more three-pointers at +155 odds. Toronto ranks 17th in opponents’ three-point percentage this season and 23rd in opponents three-point attempts.
Lillard is averaging 9.3 three-point attempts per game, and his 36.2% three-point percentage is slightly below the 37.0% rate he has connected on in his career. He still sees plenty of volume but has shot below 40% from beyond the arc in seven of the past eight games. Lillard last made five three-pointers in a game on December 12th against the Hawks, when he shot 5-14 from beyond the arc. While the recent shooting struggles have been evident, Lillard is too good of a shooter for this to continue. Expect the struggling Raptors’ defense to be the cure as Lillard takes advantage of his green light in the offense. He has made five or more three-pointers in eight games this season and will likely add to this list tonight.
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