Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: March 4 vs Toronto Raptors

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Jan 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard Rashad Vaughn (20) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) tries to defend during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Major Key For Milwaukee: Stay Active Defensively

Steals and blocks are often used as a sign of an effective defender, even though they aren’t necessarily. Stephen Curry led the NBA in steals last season, but he’s definitely not the best defensive guard in the NBA.

With that being said, the hate on steals and blocks seems to be going a bit too far. Although a player who isn’t a great defender can look better because of steals or blocks, that doesn’t nullify the value in those things. Steals and blocks lead to fast breaks, which lead to easy buckets then in return.

Especially for a team with a weapon on the break like Giannis Antetokounmpo, forcing turnovers is key. Milwaukee frustrated the Clippers all night on Friday, and collected a whopping 23 extra possessions due to Los Angeles turnovers.

The Bucks recorded 11 steals and four blocks as a team, leading to 17 fast break points for the Bucks. Great defense led to a lot of those turnovers, whether they be a steal or block, a forced travel or double dribble, or a forced bad pass out of bounds.

Milwaukee’s length is one of the team’s greatest weapons. Using it to clog up passing lanes and prevent attackers from getting to the rim will be vital for the Bucks against Toronto.

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