Milwaukee Bucks: 3 keys to victory against Toronto Raptors

The Milwaukee Bucks visit a familiar foe Wednesday night in the Toronto Raptors, but it will be an unfamiliar location as they head to Tampa, Florida.

The Raptors were forced to start the season in Tampa due to the Canadian travel restrictions amid the ongoing pandemic, and this has undoubtedly been quite the change of scenery. Perhaps that played a factor in Toronto’s abysmal 2-8 start to the season. After some early growing pains, though, the Raptors have found their footing as of late with a 7-10 record going into tonight.

More from Bucks News

• Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
• Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
• Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
• Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
• New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited

This team has endured their share of hardships early, and it appears that will continue to be the case against the Bucks.

In addition to Pascal Siakam and Patrick McCaw being listed on the injury report as likely not to play, star guard Kyle Lowry is also day-to-day. Still, no matter who the Raptors throw into the lineup, they have always been a tough matchup for the Bucks.

Milwaukee currently boasts a 10-6 record, good enough for third place in the Eastern Conference standings. Although their record showcases some struggles, the Bucks are 7-3 in their last 10 contests, and they will look to continue their hot streak against the Raptors.

If the Milwaukee Bucks will come out on top, here are three keys to victory against the Toronto Raptors.

First key to victory against Toronto Raptors – Milwaukee Bucks need to keep Toronto’s 3-point shooting to a minimum

The Raptors’ offense ranks in the middle of the pack this season as they currently hold the 15th best offensive rating in the league. While that might be easy to brush off, the Raptors are not afraid to shoot an abundance of 3-pointers, and that spells trouble for the Bucks.

Toronto ranks second in 3-point attempts this season with 42.5 per game, and they are connecting on 37.5 percent of them. They can get hot from behind the arc any given night, and the Bucks having their issues defending the perimeter is a story etched in history throughout the Mike Budenholzer era. With the handful of shooters that Toronto has on this roster, the Bucks will have their hands full defending the long ball.

This will particularly be another tall task for the Bucks’ backcourt tandem of Donte DiVincenzo and Jrue Holiday. With Siakam likely sidelined, the Raptors will defer to their Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry duo to lead the way, both of which have an unforgettable tendency to shoot the lights out against Milwaukee.

Toronto’s role players such as Matt Thomas and OG Anunoby will also likely get in on the action, meaning that it will take a strong defensive showcase to keep this team at bay.