Toronto Raptors @ Milwaukee Bucks: Game 6 playoff preview
By Adam Stocker
The Toronto Raptors look to eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks in game 6 of their first-round playoff series at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Thursday, April 27.
After a dominant performance in game 5, the Toronto Raptors head back to Milwaukee where they look to eliminate the Bucks from the NBA playoffs. Head coach Dwane Casey’s switch to a smaller lineup has paid off, as the team has figured out Milwaukee’s aggressive defensive traps.
The young Bucks will be desperate as they try to extend the series with a game 6 victory. Expect Milwaukee head coach Jason Kidd to be extra aggressive as he attempts to slow down the Raptors offense. For the Bucks to force a game 7, they will need great shooting performances from wings Kris Middleton and Tony Snell. Milwaukee needs more offensive contributors than Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Raptors need to keep the Bucks under 100 points if they want to win. Defensively, Toronto has been better since they shifted Serge Ibaka to center and Norman Powell into the starting lineup. Both players have benefited from the move and have seen their offensive numbers improve as the series has gone on. If the Raptors get another big performance from either Ibaka or Powell, they will likely advance to the second round.
Winning game 6 is very important to the Raptors moving forward in the playoffs. Winning on Thursday would give Toronto a few more days off to rest and prepare for Cleveland in the second round.
Next: What do the Raptors need to do to win game 6?
How, When and Where to Watch:
Date: Thursday, April 27
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Venue: BMO Harris Bradley Center
TV and Radio Info: Sportsnet – Sportsnet Radio
Live Stream: Sportsnet Now
Three Keys to Victory
- Limit Giannis Antetokounmpo’s offensive chances. The Raptors need to continue locking down the Greek Freak. In game five, Antetokounmpo scored 30 points on 63 percent shooting. Toronto maybe able to get away once with Antetokounmpo scoring that many points and win, but they likely will not get away with it a second time. The Raptors need P.J. Tucker and DeMarre Carroll to be physical with Antetokounmpo and prevent him from getting to the basket as easy as he has in previous games.
- Keep Greg Monroe off the boards. In the Raptors game 5 win, Toronto won the rebounding battle 40-23. Monroe has had several big games on the boards for Milwaukee, but in game 5 he only had two rebounds. If Toronto can keep the Bucks from the boards, they will significantly increase their chances of winning.
- In game 5, Toronto’s two leading scorers were Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka. The odds of that happening two games in a row is extremely unlikely. That being said, the Raptors need someone to step up as the third option behind DeRozan and Lowry. If the Raptors can break 100 points, there is a high likelihood that they will win.
