Milwaukee Bucks Preview: Game 4 vs Toronto Raptors

4 of 5

Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots for a basket as Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Player To Watch: Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka was Mr. Ball Movement in Game 2. Ibaka led his team with six assists in that game, along with posting 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. That all-around performance was a huge part of the reason the Raptors won the game.

Game 3 saw a reverse of that performance from Ibaka. He failed to record any assists or three-pointers made, and ended the evening with six points, three rebounds and one block. Ibaka is the Raptors difference-maker in this series, but he fell in line with the rest of his teammates in a rough loss on Thursday.

Good post passers can really open up an offense. Greg Monroe and Thon Maker don’t fall into the top Bucks in terms of passes dished, but they both make over 20 passes per game, and both of them have averaged two assists per game on those passes.

Ibaka averages two assists per game too, and he’s fourth on the Raptors with 30 made passes per game. If he can get the ball moving and end some possessions with made threes himself, he can serve as a secondary engine to the Raptors offense and work in unison with Lowry and DeRozan.

If he can’t, then it’s really hard for Toronto’s offense to get moving, as evidenced by its shutdown on Thursday night.

Home/Bucks News