Raptors 118 – Bucks 93: Norman POW-ell!
By Brian Boake
The Raptors were hungry to seize control of their first-round playoff series with the Bucks. Toronto’s shooting proved too much for Milwaukee, and the Raptors are in position to seal the deal in Game 6.
The Toronto Raptors needed a statement game, and that’s exactly what they provided. In front of their delirious fans at the Air Canada Centre, the Raptors once again rolled out their retooled ultra-small lineup featuring Norman Powell at the 3-spot. While Game 4 was impressive for Toronto’s defense, on this night the offense finally showed up.
Toronto split the first four games despite the almost total absence of secondary scoring. That wasn’t the case in Game 5, as Norman Powell took an enormous weight off the shoulders of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Norman was perfect from beyond the arc on four tries, including a crazy multi-bounce laugher that he launched to beat the shot clock. He scored on runners and pounded down a couple of thunder dunks. If you have any more 25-point games in you, Norman, we’ll be happy to accept them.
Lots of buckets
Six Raptors hit double figures. I don’t know how Lowry stayed on his feet; he looked nauseous but didn’t play that way. He produced a double-double of 16 points and 10 dimes, despite needing to leave the court several times to rest his bothersome back on the floor near the bench.
DeMarre Carroll enjoyed his best outing in weeks, with 12 points and some sterling defense on Khris Middleton. DeRozan wasn’t brilliant, though it’s hard to complain about 18 points and 6 assists. Serge Ibaka was another whose shooting returned on home court. He was 8 of 10, and blocked 3 shots.
Jonas Valanciunas, the “victim” of the lineup shuffle, wasn’t feeling sorry for himself. He wrestled the strong and nasty Greg Monroe to a draw, though their antagonism almost manifested itself in a Q3 fist fight. Cooler heads prevailed, and both were assessed technical fouls. I don’t think I’m being a homer when I protest JV’s tech. Monroe was the instigator of the scuffle after the whistle had blown.
In sum, the Raptors took control of this game in Q1, and were never headed. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo did his thing again, to the tune of 30 points (though he was minus_24!). The Greek Freak is an amazing finisher. His length allows him to take finger rolls from an unimaginably long distance from the hoop, and he might be the fastest-running big man I’ve ever seen. Fortunately for Toronto, he wasn’t getting much help, other than some accurate long balls from Malcolm Brogdon and Tony Snell. With multiple Raptors defenders making life miserable for Middleton, the problem of secondary scoring now lies with the Bucks.
The Raptors looked completely outclassed in Game 3, but have bounced back with authority. They can close out the series in Milwaukee on Thursday night.
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