Player To Watch: Serge Ibaka
Although just one of Serge Ibaka’s four made three-pointers came from the corner, he was still the most effective Raptor in all sorts of ways during Game 2. Ibaka recorded 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 36 minutes.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan scored more and Jonas Valanciunas grabbed more rebounds, but no other Raptor had the kind of all-around performance Ibaka did. Additionally, he led the team in assists, blocks and made three-pointers.
Before the series, one of the big questions asked was who the Raptors would rely on besides Lowry and DeRozan. Those two haven’t done a ton to quell their postseason doubters, but Ibaka has stepped up in both games to provide the Raps with a huge boost.
His combination of length, floor-spacing and size makes him a good-enough foil for the Bucks longer weapons like Giannis and Thon. Milwaukee would be smart to find ways to avoid him while the Bucks are on offense going forward–isolating him on the corner somehow like teams did to Kawhi Leonard would take a dangerous shot-blocker out of the way for the rest of the Bucks.