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Toronto Raptors: 3 toughest potential matchups in 2020-21 playoffs

By Ben Zelniker

Toronto Raptors - Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have superstars and depth, which could be problematic for the Toronto Raptors

The Raptors fended off the Bucks in the conference finals last season, but this is not the same Milwaukee team of past years. Gone is some of their previous backcourt depth with George Hill, Eric Bledsoe, and Malcolm Brogdon. However, this team has massively upgraded since by acquiring Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans and Bobby Portis from the New York Knicks.

The Raptors have long been known as the much deeper team in this matchup, but is that the case this season? Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Danny Green are all gone from the championship roster, and the team has made very few signings to replace this depth, choosing instead to promote from within. While some diamonds in the rough have been found, the team could definitely use some help from any of them.

Milwaukee has seen a few young players develop and improve consistently as well. Donte Divincenzo and DJ Wilson, while not showing gigantic improvement on the scoresheet, have been much more efficient shooters this season. With Giannis Antetokounmpo as deadly as ever, the increased depth is a welcome sight for Toronto.

The Raptors will need Aron Baynes to step up and be able to defend Milwaukee’s bigs for most of their minutes on the floor, but OG Anunoby and Stanley Johnson should be able to help out in the paint as well.