Raptors odds and best bet vs. Bucks Nov. 15: Back Scottie Barnes with Giannis out

The Toronto Raptors host a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks team tonight.

The pregame narrative: Antetokounmpo is missing the contest due to injury management and Toronto is a slim 2-point underdog as a result. The Raptors just struggled against an awful Washington Wizards team so expecting an easy win would be foolish. That said, Scottie Barnes is poised for a huge night.

NBA oddsas of 3:12 p.m. ET on 11/15/23.

Raptors odds and best bet vs. Bucks

Best Bet: Barnes double-double (+160)

Barnes would be a solid bet to record a double-double even if Antetokounmpo was playing, but with the Greek Freak sidelined, this screams value.

The third-year forward is averaging 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in 10 games and has five double-doubles to show for it.

That includes one against the Bucks back on November 1 when Barnes racked up 21 points and 12 rebounds. And that game was on the road with Antetokounmpo in the lineup.

Milwaukee has had a strong defence for years but that hasn't been the case this season. The Bucks traded away Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard and immediately lost some bite on the perimeter.

They are 24th ranked in defensive rating (116.0) just one year after being ranked fourth (110.9).

The team has also struggled mightily to contain opposing small forwards, as evidenced by Barnes' outburst a few weeks ago.

The Bucks allow the eighth-most points (22.8) and 10th-most rebounds (8.34) to opposing small forwards, according to Fantasy Pros.

Key stat: Barnes has four double-doubles in his past seven games.