1 reason Raptors can beat every Top 4 Seed in Eastern Conference
By Mike Luciano
Bucks: Toronto’s perimeter advantage
Fred VanVleet and Jrue Holiday are two of the most underrated guards in the league, and they are without question in the same tier as players. Those two going head-to-head will be a matchup to watch. However, when you look at Toronto’s collection of wings and guards, they may have Milwaukee beat in this area.
As great as Khris Middleton can be, he has been kept under 16 points three times in the last two years against Toronto. Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton can shoot, but they lack the defensive chops that Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby have. Throw in the Scottie Barnes X-factor and Toronto comes out on top.
The Toronto Raptors match up well with the Bucks.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo factor has the potential to crush the Raptors. Sometimes he’s just going to go off for 40 points and 15 rebounds. Knowing that they have the advantage on both ends when it comes to their perimeter talent, that could free up Toronto to put even more pressure on Giannis.
Even if Holiday does a good job on VanVleet, the odds of Milwaukee keeping Trent, Barnes, and Anunoby all in check for the duration of a seven-game series are not high. If Anunoby’s health allows him to go in at full strength, the Raptors will be able to get into shootouts with the Bucks.