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

By Joe Osterndorf

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
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; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets congratulated as he comes off the court against the Toronto Raptors 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
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets congratulated as he comes off the court against the Toronto Raptors 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 /

Giannis Domination

Giannis Antetokounmpo has always been a player that rises in big time games, and last night was no exception. The Greek Freak finished as the games leading scorer with 28 points, and put up what we’ve come to expect otherwise with eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

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The Raptors didn’t have an answer to Giannis. DeMarre Carroll and Serge Ibaka couldn’t keep up with him, or do enough to challenge him at the rim. P.J. Tucker was physical, and kept up with him, but ultimately is about half a foot shorter.

On defense, his length both disturbed shooters and cut off passing lanes, which can’t be overstated. The Raptors can struggle with ball movement in the first place, so being able to hurt them even more in this regard helps the Buck’s chances of winning immensely.

What has yet to be seen is how the Raptors respond in game two. DeRozan was clearly upset at Giannis late in the game, after Antetokounmpo emphatically blocked a late layup attempt from DeMar. This (for some reason) ended with Giannis being called for a technical, and pulled from the game with under two minutes to go.

There’s a lot of ball still to be played, and the Bucks can’t relax at all. Giannis has to do what he did again in game two, and the Bucks can’t count on Lowry scoring only four points again. They need Khris to show up and start making shots.

Next: 5 Keys To Beating The Toronto Raptors

The Bucks will look to win once again in Toronto on Tuesday at 6:00 pm.

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