Doing all the little things right
Taking the first quarter of Game 1 out of the equation, the Bucks have largely dominated the Raptors across the board through the first two games of this series.
To do that, it obviously requires winning some of the more macro matchup battles, but perhaps just as important is the fact Milwaukee is coming out on top in the areas that could be indicative of desire and basketball IQ too.
On Friday, the examples of this were plentiful.
Milwaukee won the turnover battle by a large margin, coughing the ball up just seven times to Toronto’s 14, and scoring 19 points off those opponent giveaways compared to allowing just eight points off their own miscues.
After dominating the glass in Game 1, the Bucks continued to hold firm on the boards in Game 2. A 53-40 rebounding edge is significant in its own right, but 11 offensive rebounds to Toronto’s six is an even bigger deal considering it was likely a point of emphasis for Nick Nurse after Game 1.
Also worth mentioning, the Bucks had fewer fouls, more assists, fastbreak points, points in the paint and charges drawn.
If there was one play to sum up the Bucks’ attitude on Friday night, it was Antetokounmpo launching himself on to the floor in pursuit of a loose ball in the second half, with Milwaukee already way ahead.
The Bucks are executing at a higher level than the Raptors, but they’re also coming out on top in all of the smaller battles across the course of 48 minutes.
The Bucks and Raptors will be back at it for Game 3 on Sunday, as the series shifts to Toronto for a 6pm CT tip-off.