Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways From Game 1 Win Over Toronto Raptors

Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from Game 1 Win Over the Toronto Raptors

Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) knocks down a Milwaukee Bucks in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Playoff Lowry

Let me be abundantly clear. Kyle Lowry is a very good basketball player, and many smart people have considered him for All-NBA teams this season. But a troubling concern for the Raptors is that he struggles mightily in the playoffs.

His normally stellar regular season shooting averages plummet in the playoffs, where he shoots just 37.9 percent on his career. This was on full display last night, as he scored only four points on 11 shots, and bricked all six of his three-point attempts.

Unlike Middleton, Lowry wasn’t able to do enough besides his shooting to help the Raptors stay in the game. He had only six assists, and was outdone by rookie Malcolm Brogdon, who scored 16 points, with 12 of those coming from threes.

The Raptors have struggled early in playoff series. Coming into this game, they had lost the first game of a playoff series eight straight times.

In spite of this, the Raptors are still a very talented team that made the Eastern Conference Finals last year, and might be even more talented this year. The Bucks can’t feel too good about themselves just yet.

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