Toronto Raptors Mailbag: Questions after Game 1 loss to Bucks

The Toronto Raptors are down 0-1 to the Milwaukee Bucks. As the Conference Finals begin to heat up, we took your best questions in this week’s mailbag.

After a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors are down 0-1. Toronto led the entire game, but just when it seemed they would take homecourt advantage, Milwaukee stormed back.

With what looks to be a thrilling Eastern Conference Finals, we went to Twitter to find your biggest questions about this series in this week’s mailbag.

Gautam (@g_malkani) asks: What can Nurse do to give confidence on offence to anyone not named Lowry and Leonard? Also, what is the best way to start the 4th with Leonard getting rest?

One thing Toronto needs to focus on is finding a way to get Pascal Siakam going. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a tough match defensively, but there isn’t anyone else on the Bucks roster who can hang with Siakam one-on-one.

Run him off some screens, use him as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, and use other actions, to cause switches. Once he’s on Nikola Mirotic, Ersan Ilyasova, or anyone not named Giannis, it’s barbeque chicken.

Gasol received open shots. Green and the bench have struggled since the Orlando series. The Raptors need to try to create looks for Pascal.

Toronto Raptors BR (@TorontoRapsBR) asks: Will Danny Green have a good game in these Playoffs?

To be fair, Danny did play extremely well in Game 5 of the 76ers series. However, his struggles have been a big reason for the Raptors inefficiency on offense so far this postseason.

I do expect him to get going at some point this series. Milwaukee allowed the most three-point attempts in the NBA, which obviously bodes well for Green’s potential to breakout. If he isn’t able to hit open shots, Toronto might be in trouble.

Ryan Magdziarz (@RyanMagdziarz) asks: Who’s the best player in this series?

It pains me to say this, but it’s probably Giannis. Kawhi Leonard is great, but I’d rank him just below the “Greek Freek.”

Giannis is a better facilitator to others, better in transition, and at this point in his career, a much better defender. Obviously, Kawhi’s ability to create his own shot and closing skill-set speak for themselves, but that’s not quite enough to swing the advantage in his favor.

Both players are close enough that it’s very possible Kawhi Leonard has the better seven-game series, but at this point in time, I’d give the slight edge to Giannis.

Gorge Jasbajosa (@GorgeJarbajosa) asks: How do you think Lopez will perform in Gm 2? Can’t possibly be any more on fire…

Brook Lopez isn’t going to drop 30 again, but the Raptors defense on the man nicknamed “Splash Mountain,” was worrisome.

Toronto is rightfully obsessed with stopping Giannis’ penetration and forcing him to kick it out. At points, they took it too far. Gasol needs to do a better job of tracking Lopez as he relocates around the arc and making sure to not give him any more open looks from deep.

His eight field goals within the three-point line will almost certainly take a hit, but the Raptors can’t allow him to hoist 11 triples again.

NBA Player Scout (@NBAPlayerScout) asks: Should Serge Ibaka play more in Game 2?

Yes, but not at power forward. Marc Gasol played 39 minutes in Game 1, an extremely high figure, especially for someone who isn’t a great matchup.

Serge is a more mobile defensive option and is a more willing (not better) shooter out of the pick-and-pop. Ibaka should play something closer to 20 minutes at center with Gasol dropped down to 28-30. Giving Ibaka 20 minutes at center, along with 5-6 at power forward is plenty. A shift in what position his minutes are at is as important as how many he receives.