Bucks’ George Hill (illness), Jrue Holiday (conditioning) out vs. Raptors

Milwaukee Bucks guards George Hill (illness) and Jrue Holiday (conditioning) have been downgraded to out for Wednesday night’s road game versus the Toronto Raptors. To add to the list, Joe Ingles (conditioning) and Khris Middleton (knee) are also out.

Almost halfway through the 2022-23 season, Milwaukee is 24-13 and ranks third overall in the Eastern Conference standings. The team is 16-4 at home, 8-9 away, and 22-8 as a selected favorite.

According to multiple NBA betting sites, the Bucks possess the second-best odds to win the championship. While they still trail the Boston Celtics, sportsbooks are giving them better odds than the Brooklyn Nets.

Bucks will be without Jrue Holiday and Joe Ingles (return to conditioning), Kris Middleton (knee) and George Hill (illness) vs. Raps tonight. Raps sheet is clean other than Porter Jr. Bucks played in Washington last night, Giannis played 37 minutes (and had 55 pts!).

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 4, 2023

Through 30 games off the bench this season, Hill is averaging a career-low five points per game. In addition to logging 2.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 20 minutes per contest, the 15-year veteran is shooting 42.7% from the field.

Hill has missed the last three games and was absent in a total of seven this season. Of course, the guard’s best performances out of his 30 appearances came against the New York Knicks (Oct. 28) and Oklahoma City Thunder (Nov. 9). He scored 12 points in both matchups.

Bucks’ George Hill (illness), Jrue Holiday (conditioning), Joe Ingles (conditioning), and Khris Middleton (knee) are out vs. Raptors on Wednesday

As for the Raptors’ injury report, the only player listed is Otto Porter Jr. (foot). He remains out indefinitely. Moreover, Toronto is 11-14 versus Eastern Conference opponents, whereas the Bucks are 12-9 against their conference teams.

Leading into Wednesday night’s game, the Raptors have won their last three meetings versus Milwaukee. However, Toronto is 3-9 in its past 12 contests this season. Not to mention, the team is 1-5 ATS in its previous six home games.

NBA's noon injury report: Bucks rule out Jrue Holiday and Joe Ingles (both return to play conditioning), Khris Middleton (knee) and George Hill (illness( tonight vs. Raptors

Toronto without Otto Porter Jr. (toe), Dalano Banton (G League) and Ron Harper Jr. (G League) again

— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) January 4, 2023

Furthermore, the Bucks have not fared any better. They’re 2-5 in their past seven contests, 1-6 ATS in their last seven away games, and 1-6 ATS in their previous seven meetings versus Eastern Conference opponents.

Despite Milwaukee’s struggles, Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing lights out. In the Bucks’ 123-113 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, the six-time All-Star scored a career-high 55 points.

Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Raptors have a 62.6% chance of beating the Bucks at home. Sportsbooks show Milwaukee as a 5.5-point underdog at Scotiabank Arena.