Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing Bench Matchup With the Raptors
Head-to-Head
Game One: Toronto Raptors 105 at Milwaukee Bucks 99
Raptors’ bench: 88 total minutes, 28 points, 10-26 (38.5% FG), 11 rebounds, seven assists
Bucks’ bench: 90 total minutes, 24 points, 10-25 (40.0% FG), 19 rebounds, six assists
Although this was not the case in future contests, the battle of the benches in the first game between these two teams was pretty equal. The Raptors employed the help of four bench players while the Bucks used five and their stats across the board were relatively similar.
Patrick Patterson led the Raptors in bench scoring with 11 while Greg Monroe and Malcolm Brogdon (now a starter) were the leaders for the Bucks at eight apiece.
Game Two: Milwaukee Bucks 100 at Toronto Raptors 122
Raptors’ bench: 106 total minutes, 50 points, 21-36 (58.3% FG), 19 rebounds, 12 assists
Bucks’ bench: 95 total minutes, 26 points, 11-30 (36.7% FG), 18 rebounds, six assists
When I say the Bucks used everyone in this game, I mean the Bucks used everyone. Jason Kidd went out and played eight players off of the bench for an average of 11.9 minutes apiece. Yet, even with this, the Raptors group played seven bench players and massively beat the Bucks in production.
This was thanks in large part to Terrence Ross exploding for 25 points. Good news for the Bucks? Terrence Ross now plays for the Magic. Milwaukee’s bench was led by Greg Monroe’s 11.
Game Three: Milwaukee Bucks 86 at Toronto Raptors 102
Raptors’ bench: 87 total minutes, 26 points, 11-26 (42.3% FG), 17 rebounds, eight assists
Bucks’ bench: 104 total minutes, 27 points, 10-30 (33.3% FG), 16 rebounds, six assists
In an all-around balanced output from both benches, the Raptors were much more efficient with their scoring. In addition to winning the field goal percentage battle, they also were better from behind the three-point line.
Lucas Nogueira had nine for the Raptors to lead all bench scorers and Thon Maker had eight for the Bucks.
Game Four: Toronto Raptors 94 at Milwaukee Bucks 101
Raptors’ bench: 95 total minutes, 33 points, 11-28 (39.3% FG), 10 rebounds, seven assists
Bucks’ bench: 94 total minutes, 31 points, 15-34 (44.1% FG), 20 rebounds, seven assists
The only regular season win over the Raptors for the Bucks was largely due to the efficiency of the bench both in scoring and the snagging of rebounds. As the Raptors were without Kyle Lowry for this game, Cory Joseph had to fill in as a starter, where he contributed 14 points. Yet, as we all know, this was the Spencer Hawes game.
Hawes exploded for the Bucks in this game, dropping 16 points in 17 minutes to be the high man off of either teams bench. Norman Powell had 12 for the Raptors.