Game 3: Milwaukee Bucks 87 Toronto Raptors 106 Grades & Reactions
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Nov 1, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) looks to make a pass past Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) during the second half of the Raptors 106-87 win at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
There are two things hamstringing this Milwaukee Bucks team right now: energy and defense.
When you can’t protect the rim and you can’t defend the three, and you can’t secure the basketball, and if you look passive while doing all of that; you can’t win in this league.
The Bucks felt those mistakes first hand for the third time this season, falling 106-87 to the Toronto Raptors and slipping to 0-3.
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The palpable energy that Giannis Antetokounmpo provided Friday night against the Wizards was again present. He finished with 20 points (8-12, 66.7%), nine rebounds, and two assists (with zero turnovers).
But Giannis can’t carry a team by himself. (Despite indications that he could someday.)
He needs help.
Greg Monroe has performed well offensively, but is a foamy defender.
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Khris Middleton looks like a guy that just got paid. Content.
And Michael-Carter Williams, despite promising improvement, continues to make crucial mistakes–often coming in bunches.
Don’t even get me started on the bench. What was a strength early last season is now a glaring cesspool of ineptitude.
So what does that all add up to? You guessed it–an unequivocal mess.
It’s early, but if the Bucks fall to the Nets on Monday night the sparks coming from the Bucks camp will grow to an inferno.
The absences of Jabari Parer, John Henson, and O.J. Mayo can’t be overstated–the team needs them all to return ASAP.
But their injuries don’t explain the porous defense or the casual effort we’ve seen through three games.
It’s still too early to panic, but right now the Bucks don’t look right.
Let’s take a look at the positives and negatives of Sunday’s performance before clearing our minds and preparing for Brooklyn.
Next: Reactions: The Good