Raptors at Bucks: Shake things up, Dwane

The Raptors suffered an offensive short circuit of ghastly proportions in Game 3 of their playoff series. To defeat the Bucks today will require a big-time rethink.

The Toronto Raptors were not just defeated on Thursday night, they were humiliated. Their superior regular season record provided no comfort against the onslaught of the Milwaukee Bucks. If the Raptors are going to win this first-round playoff series, coach Dwane Casey can’t be business-as-usual.

Here are some changes he must make to avoid another disaster in this afternoon critical Game 4:

• find minutes for Norman Powell
• drop DeMarre Carroll from the starting lineup
• move Jonas Valanciunas further away from the hoop

Find minutes for Norman Powell

DeMar DeRozan played perhaps his worst game as a Raptor in Game 3. Without his scoring (and that of Kyle Lowry), Toronto has no chance.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd has clearly instructed his eager young troops not to allow easy shots for our backcourt. Implicit in that approach is disbelief in the ability of the Raptors’ alternate scorers to harm his team. So far, Kidd is looking like a genius, as Carroll has 3 made long balls in 3 games, while Patrick Patterson has connected on 4.

Norman Powell has made 1 of 2 from deep, which proves nothing. However, what he offers is the capability of slicing through the Bucks defenders. Norman has a lightning-quick first step, and although he’s often unable to finish at the rim, at least gets there. If he can receive a pass while already in motion from DeRozan (I’ve no issue with them on the floor at the same time), and cash in a few layups, Milwaukee would need to respond. Presumably his defender would back off a step in expectation of the drive, at which point he can let fly with a 3-ball.

Delon Wright has displayed touch with his shooting from outside, and can certainly help defensively with his length. Cory Joseph needs to provide some spark early, or sit down in favour of Delon.

Drop DeMarre Carroll from the starting lineup

Enough already. A win in this game is essential to the Raptors’ future. Carroll was supposed to be a “3 & D” small forward, but he’s providing neither. P.J. Tucker must be inserted. We’ll surely get the defense, and his outside shooting isn’t hopeless.

Carroll should be a better cutter to the basket than Tucker, but even that modest skill hasn’t been evident in some time. Make the change.

Move Jonas Valanciunas further away from the hoop

If our backcourt is going to get to the rim without being denied by Milwaukee’s big and mobile defenders, they need more space. If the Raptors can run some plays for JV away from the low block such that he can turn and shoot, points should follow. Thon Maker or someone will need to move out to get a hand up, at which point JV should be able to start a ball swing.

There are no guarantees attached to any of these ideas. But I fear Dwane Casey’s mindset. If he comforts himself that Thursday was just a bad night, rather than the revelation it truly was, this afternoon’s game could be another Cover Your Eyes catastrophe.