Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to watch for in Game 3 against Toronto Raptors

Bench mob firing on all cylinders

While Toronto searches for any spark within their bench and overall depth, the Bucks’ contributions from deep within their rotation have been a defining trait to the series and their playoff run overall.

With every passing game, there seems to be a figure from the team’s world-famous bench mob that swings contests, and it was veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova‘s turn to notch his podium game with his 17-point performance Friday night in Game 2, along with George Hill (13 points on eight shots, five rebounds, two assists).

Through the series’ first two games, the Bucks’ bench has outscored Raptors’ reserve unit 76 points to Toronto’s 51.

Not only that, but the fact that the Bucks’ bench continues to maintain and even reinforce their leads without key players on the floor such as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is absolutely enormous. Swingman Khris Middleton spoke to that in ESPN’s Malika Andrews‘ Game 2 recap:

"“They can compete against other teams’ starters,” Bucks starting forward Khris Middleton said of Milwaukee’s bench.”"

Again, it’s only been a continuation of how the Bucks have operated all throughout the year and the combination of the trust head coach Mike Budenholzer has in his reserves as well as the quality of the team’s depth that has been reshaped over the last calendar year has led to these moments.

With all that said, it will be critical for the Bucks’ bench mob to continue their success on the road, which is normally not an easy proposition. But the Bucks’ depth has shown time and time again that they are not your run of the mill bench unit.