Finishing off Bucks: what Raptors must do in Game 6
By Brian Boake
With an emphatic triumph in Game 5, the Toronto Raptors are in command of their first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
What have we learned so far about defeating the upstarts from Wisconsin?
Raptors must shut down one Bucks scoring option
Milwaukee isn’t a high-scoring team. Their points come from the same sources game after game. If the Raptors can render either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Khris Middleton ineffective, the odds of Milwaukee cracking a century are very low.
My money is on containing Middleton, a task which the Raptors managed in their wins in Games 4 and 5.
He hasn’t found his 3-point shooting stroke, so leave him out there with some space. What we don’t want is him finding room to penetrate, because he can both make shots or dish with impact. He leads the Bucks in assists.
Greg Monroe has been a load for Jonas Valanciunas, but the statement works in reverse too. If JV keeps Monroe in relative control, and gets buckets (and boards) of his own, we’ll be OK.
Getting back to Giannis: at some point, our guys need to recognize when he’s going to score. No and-1 plays, please. He’s too strong even to be wrapped up.
Don’t “lose” Brogdon or Snell
“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” might be an NBA coach’s mantra. The best thing that’s happened for Raptors coach Dwane Casey is perfect shooting from 3-point range from Norman Powell. That’s not sustainable.
However, the hot shooting of Malcolm Brogdon and Tony Snell could very well continue. They are a combined 26 for 50 in five games, and that stings. The Raptors have to stay within arm’s reach of those two. If they make contested shots (and they will), c’est la guerre. We aren’t going to win with a shutout. And stay on your feet, guys. Let’s not turn a desperation heave into 3 free throws with an ill-advised attempt at a shot block.
Off a rebound – Go! Off a bucket – Slow!
In that ghastly Game 3 clobbering, the Bucks dictated the pace of play. They like fast, and they got it. Time and again, they were able to turn Raptors missed shots and turnovers into buckets with their speed.
Since then, Toronto has been much better at playing a suitable pace, one which allows DeMar DeRozan to work himself into a solid shot in single coverage. When doubled, he’s been quick and effective at releasing the ball to his mates.
The time to set up the half-court offense is off a Bucks basket. I believe we have more weapons than they do to score in a conventional manner.
Off a Bucks miss, turn up the heat. Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell can lead the charge in broken-floor opportunities.
Make the ball do the work
The Raptors have been getting better at picking their spots when going to the hoop. The Bucks’ rim protectors have serious length, and driving into them seldom ends well.
Let’s see all five Raptors touch the ball before a shot goes up. That will create sufficient open looks – then we just have to splash the shots.
Wrapping it up
The Raptors have shown they can adjust successfully. Can the Bucks tweak their lineup?
Even if they do, the momentum belongs to Toronto. Let’s hope we can finish this thing off.