Raptors Odds of Winning the Eastern Conference Set at +250 After Finishing Off Magic in 5

• The Milwaukee Bucks won 45 regular season games and all four first-round playoff games by double-digits
• The Philadelphia 76ers have made the second-fewest threes per game of any team in the playoffs
• The Toronto Raptors won three of their four first-round games by 19 points or more

The top four sees in the Eastern Conference have advanced past the first round. The Milwaukee Bucks continue to have the best odds to win the East, but are they the right bet? Teams like the Toronto Raptors, the Philadelphia 76ers, or even the Boston Celtics might be offering some value at plus-money. Let’s take a closer look.

2019 NBA Eastern Conference Odds

*Odds taken 04/24/19

Raptors Looked Impressive

Although the memory burned in most people’s minds is the Raptors losing Game 1 at home to Orlando, this team looked really crisp the rest of the way. They won three of their four games by 19 or more points, easily cruising to the second round.

Pascal Siakam is EASILY the Most Improved Player, in my opinion! pic.twitter.com/nn42tJ6NwK

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 23, 2019

What you have to like about Toronto – especially in their second-round matchup – is team chemistry. The parts just fit together. Pascal Siakam is emerging as an All-Star and the team has two others with Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry. They have size, they have depth, they have shooting, and they have defense.

76ers Have Some Concerns

There are times when the 76ers flex their muscle and you can envision this team winning an NBA Championship. There are other teams where you look at them and wonder how they’re not fighting in the locker room.

Joel Embiid pointed him out after the dunk ?

(via @sixers) pic.twitter.com/zsrZoyCHwT

— ESPN (@espn) April 24, 2019

This is a bizarre mix of talent with Ben Simmons, who might be the most athletic point guard in the NBA but struggles to shoot from the field, Jimmy Butler mostly just wants to run isolations, Joel Embiid is dealing with a nagging injury, and Tobias Harris is sometimes great and sometimes invisible.

At the end of the day, this isn’t a team that shoots the three very well – 15th of 16 playoff teams currently – and that’s a major concern in the modern NBA. Team chemistry and coaching also just don’t seem quite right. I’m more inclined to bet against this team than on them.

Can the Celtics Surprise?

Yes, it’s possible. However, this team has looked disjointed all season long. Is it possible that things clicked in the first round of the playoffs? Of course. What’s more likely is that they swept a team that was lacking punch on offense.

I see you @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/PCeuMMaN8h

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) April 18, 2019

Bucks on Another Level

We entered the season thinking these four teams would be the finalists in the East and that these four teams would be neck-in-neck, but they’re really not. The Bucks are the best defensive team in the NBA, have what many consider the best player in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and are able to surround him with shooters galore.

They Bucks won 45 times by double digits. Only seven other teams have done that and each has won the NBA Championship.

This is a team that has the best record in the NBA, has been the most consistent this season and has crushed most of their opponents. They won 45 times by double digits. Only seven other teams have done that and each has won the NBA Championship.

Giannis went MJ on the double pump and Drummond was baffled ? pic.twitter.com/QvSILlpaKU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 23, 2019

Three-and-D is the name of the game these days and nobody in the East does it better than Milwaukee. I fully expect the Philadelphia 76ers and Raptors to engage in an all-out war, which will drain both sides. That should leave Milwaukee to mop up the winner in the Eastern Conference final. At -105, they’re my bet to win the East.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks (-105)