For the playoffs, stars always get the most attention, but sometimes it is the bench play that makes the difference. How do the benches match up between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks?
To answer this question, it is important to look at the three facets of the series that matter most: offense, defense, and how the teams have matched up so far this season. With the Raptors taking three out of the four games played between the two so far, it makes sense that Toronto would be the favorite heading into this series.
Although debatable, it is not a hot take to say that the Toronto Raptors have the best bench in the NBA. They have several guys capable of stepping up and dropping 20 in a night or locking down on defense off the bench. With the versatility that their reserves bring, it is hard for the Raptors to have an off night. Even if one of their stars is off, usually somebody can pick up the slack off of the bench.
P.J. Tucker and Patrick Patterson are two of the elite bench players in the entire league because of their ability to either lock up defensively (Tucker) or play the role of a stretch big man (Patterson). In addition to these two, Norman Powell is looking to make the Bucks pay for trading the pick that ended up selecting him in the NBA Draft. Corey Joseph and Delon Wright are also solid in their own roles behind the dynamic guard duo of Lowry and DeRozan, and they cannot be forgotten about.
More from Bucks News
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited
Yet, the Bucks bring some interesting pieces to the puzzle as well. Even though he leads the Bucks in minutes at the center position on most nights, Greg Monroe is a key reserve for Milwaukee who can eat up second unit big men with his skills around this basket. Next to Monroe, there is Matthew Dellavedova, who has seen his fair share of playoff minutes, having just won the NBA title a year ago.
Then there are the sharpshooters in Jason Terry and Mirza Teletovic. The Jet is having his second-best season from three in his career and even though Telly has been in a slump all season, shooters gonna shoot, right? If these guys can get hot next to the steady scoring option Michael Beasley provides off the bench, then things can get interesting.