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Opposition Intel: Milwaukee Bucks vs Toronto Raptors Round One Preview With Brian Boake

By Ti Windisch

Dec 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at against the Toronto Raptors Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at against the Toronto Raptors Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Eastern Conference Finals Aftermath

Ti Windisch: After getting bounced in the first round for two straight seasons, the Raptors made the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Do you think Toronto is ready to build off of that trip, or was getting put down by the Cavaliers so coldly a discouraging experience?

Brian Boake: That’s a “glass half-empty or half-full” question. The most important result of last year’s playoffs was taking the first two rounds (from Indiana and Miami, respectively). Our All-Stars shot the ball shockingly badly, Jonas Valanciunas got hurt, both series went seven games…yet the team came up big when it needed to, twice.

The Cleveland series was certainly disappointing, but the Raptors were the only Eastern team to take a game (actually two) from the Cavaliers before bowing out.

The core Raptors now have a serious degree of playoff experience under their belts, and believe the Cavs are vulnerable. By the way: the Raptors defeated the Celtics in 3 of 4 games, so those guys won’t scare ours.

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