Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 108-97 win over Toronto Raptors

Overcoming offensive struggles

Tuesday’s win was far from perfect in all departments for the Bucks, as once again many of the offensive issues that plagued them last May came to the fore against the Raptors.

The difference on this occasion, though, was that the Bucks largely found ways to overcome them.

When Toronto walled off the paint and limited Antetokounnpo’s ability to score inside, Khris Middleton went to work from the mid-range, Brook Lopez tallied his share of points in the post, and Eric Bledsoe made use of the gaps in front of him to get his own points at the rim.

That was most obvious in Milwaukee’s outstanding, 34-19 third quarter performance, where much of the purpose that had been missing from Antetokounmpo’s play surfaced. Purpose is the key for Antetokounmpo when teams shut him off like this, even if he can’t drive to the paint at will, he mustn’t be aimless with the ball in his hands, and he needs to use his physicality and gravity to make an impact as a screener.

In that third period, that’s exactly what played out as Giannis turned playmaker and his teammates largely took care of business. He deserves his own credit for a variety of mid-range, three-point and free throw makes too, though. They were tools that weren’t necessarily available to him last season.

Beyond Giannis, though, even the way in which Middleton started so slowly only to then bounce back as the game progressed is a game-changer. Individually and collectively, the Bucks are much better prepared for their big moment this season.

Next up for the Bucks is a return home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.