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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Reasons They Defeated The Toronto Raptors

By Josh Cornelissen

Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (notpictured) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (notpictured) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (notpictured) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (notpictured) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Milwaukee Bucks pulled the Game 1 upset in Toronto. What are 5 of the reasons they beat the Raptors?

For the Milwaukee Bucks, Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors was a chance to get their feet wet. For many of the rotation pieces — Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker, Greg Monroe — this was their first taste of the NBA postseason.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was seeing the postseason for the first time as the unquestioned No. 1 option.

Facing a Toronto team that was supposed to be stronger at both ends of the court since midseason trades, this game was supposed to go much differently. Kyle Lowry was too strong for the Bucks’ guards and Jonas Valanciunas was too big inside.

The Raptors had the plethora of large wings that could shut down a “one-dimensional” Antetokounmpo.

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In fact it was the third-seeded Raptors that were being discussed as the most likely challenger to the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers — not the top-seeded Boston Celtics. The 42-win Bucks were not going to stop that second-round showdown.

Milwaukee was not supposed to pull off the upset, in this game or in this series.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been, at times, the surprise and disappointment of the league this season.

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    • From a devastating preseason injury to Khris Middleton, to a strong start, to a terrifying midseason slump — capped off by Jabari Parker‘s season-ending injury — to finally a late-season push into the postseason, the Bucks and their fans have been changing their trajectory with ferocity all season.

    Saturday they seized their own trajectory and pointed it skyward. Not only did Milwaukee pull off the 97-83 win, they did so by absolutely smothering Toronto in the second half.

    The Raptors averaged 107 points per game in the regular season, but could only score 32 in the second half in Game 1.

    Looking deeper, there are specific ways that the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Toronto Raptors, stealing home court and setting themselves up for a chance at the franchise’s first series win since 2001.

    What are five that stand out?

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