Raptors 92 – Bucks 89: Have the cardio paddles ready
By Brian Boake
The Raptors tried to give away a game to the Bucks, but the home town fumbled the chance late.
The Toronto Raptors needed every second of Game 6 to nail down a victory, and are off to the next playoff round. Despite blowing a 25-point Q3 lead when the offense imploded, the Raptors dusted themselves off, retook the lead and hung on. Patrick Patterson intercepted the in-bounds pass with 3 seconds to play, and the Milwaukee Bucks were finally done.
This game never should have been so grueling for the Raptors and their fans. They fell behind from the opening tip as Giannis Antetokounmpo (that man again!) powered his team with in-close buckets. Toronto regrouped, and pulled ahead. DeMar DeRozan was getting to the basket with force, and he was getting just enough help to balance the scoring. Toronto’s team defense was highly effective once again at keeping the other Bucks away from the hoop. They were also successful at chasing Khris Middleton off the 3-point line, and no Buck could fill the scoring vacuum.
When the Raptors hit a flurry of long balls early in Q3, their lead looked unassailable. Malcolm Brogdon and Tony Snell weren’t contributing anything for the Bucks on either side of the ball. However, the young Bucks didn’t throw in the towel; instead, they cranked up the ball pressure. The Raptors offense disappeared in an orgy of bad passes and dribble drives converted to turnovers.
Where’s the scoring gone?
From 5:17 of Q3 to 2:53 of the fourth quarter, the Raptors made 2 field goals. The Bucks were using their otherworldly length to disrupt trip after trip, while scoring at the other end. Toronto was lucky; the Greek Freak took 8 foul shots, but could convert only 3. His team missed nine – in Q4.
After giving up the lead on a Jason Terry 3-ball, the Raptors suddenly rediscovered the bottom of the basket. An 11-2 run rebuilt a 7-point lead, and again the issue seemed decided. Nope. A terrible missed call when DeRozan was hacked going to the bucket, followed by a Jason Terry 3-ball and a Freak dunk, resulted in a one-point Raptors lead. Toronto succeeded in getting the ball in play, and DD was fouled so hard, even the zebras (who had a bad night) couldn’t miss it. He calmly drained the pair, bringing his points to 32. Milwaukee, out of timeouts, flubbed their last chance.
Not much help
The only Raptor besides DD in double figures was Kyle Lowry, with 13 points. He’s in serious need of rest and rehab on his back.
Norman Powell displayed his remarkable accuracy from deep once again, hitting his two tries. However, he was swarmed in the paint when driving, and had little impact.
Serge Ibaka fouled out with 11 rebounds to his credit, though just two buckets.
The Raptors dodged two bullets in this series, pulling out Game 2 after a scoring drought late, and this one. They have won the opening round in six games, but aren’t close to being ready for their next opponent, a juggernaut named the Cleveland Cavaliers. Let’s breath a sigh of relief that these more than pesky Bucks are eliminated, and hope for better play in round 2.