Milwaukee Bucks visit Toronto Raptors: Preview

In the second meeting at home against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors look to continue their win-streak at home. The Raptors took game 1 on November 1st by a score of 106-87.

The 9-14 Milwaukee Bucks have had a troubled season so far. The team is still adjusting to the addition of Greg Monroe and can’t seem to get their defence to click on a consistent basis. The team gives up more than 105 points per 100 possessions while scoring just shy of 100. The team is far away from the squad they sported before shipping out Brandon Knight. One has to wonder how they would be faring had they paid Knight.

The Toronto Raptors are feeling very good after downing the San Antonio Spurs on a night where they looked like the San Antonio 76ers for the majority. Led by MVP candidate Kyle Lowry and back-court mate DeMar DeRozan, the team is able to stay afloat by their overpowering attack and timely scores. The front-court is threadbare and is riding the coattails of the all-star candidates. Get well soon, Jonas Valanciunas and Lucas Nogueira.

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3 keys to victory

Contain the unreliable Michael Carter-Williams

Believe me when I say MCW has been a major disappointment (fantasy owner), he has now moved to the bench but has every opportunity to play each and every game. In wins, he has a +18.3 net rating while in losses he has -17.5 net rating. That is a massive difference as he is clearly the difference maker for the Bucks. Now I must move on before a develop a headache.

Control the boards

Since Jonas Valanciunas has gone down, the 4th best rebounding team in the league has regressed to 21st. The Bucks are viewed as Team Future as many of their players are tall, lengthy and skilled. With Moose Monroe anchoring down low, the Raptors have their work cut out for them against the wiry team. Milwaukee isn’t the best rebounding team but be careful of that length!

Pounce on them early

If there’s a coach who knows best the Raptors and their weaknesses, it’s probably Jason Kidd. As Nets coach at the time, he outwitted Dwane Casey in the playoffs two years ago and may have some tricks up his sleeves for their second meeting of the season. It will be important to drown the young Bucks early and not let anything come down to the end.

Dec 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) finishes an alley-oop dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Key players of the game

MIL: Michael Carter-Williams; as I stated earlier, when he is going, the team is going. He has a clear size advantage over Kyle Lowry and will need to be dealt with from the moment he checks in.

TOR: Bismack Biyombo; Valanciuanas scored a game-high 19 points in their first encounter, so Biyombo has some shoes to fill but all we ask for is his fantastic rebounding and rim protection.

Next: New book about Raptors published

Prediction

Jason Kidd will not let his team face the same defeat they did the first game. I expect this to be a close match as the Raptors are thin at every front court position.