Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking Potential Eastern Conference Playoff Opponents
Toronto Raptors
The most likely playoff seed for the Milwaukee Bucks is the fifth seed, as they are currently tied with Atlanta for the spot.
With the Hawks reeling — losers of eight of 10 and still missing All-Star forward Paul MIllsap — and the Bucks two games up on both Indiana and Miami behind them, they are in the driver’s seat to finish fifth.
Currently in fourth place are the Toronto Raptors, the Eastern Conference runners-up last season. The Raptors have had an up-and-down couple of months, reloading at the deadline only to see All-Star guard Kyle Lowry go down with an injury.
Rather than collapse, the Raptors have dug in on defense and stuck close to the top teams in the East.
Defensive resurgence or no, Toronto represents the Bucks’ best chance at a first-round upset. Kyle Lowry has not yet returned to the lineup, and even when he does there is no guarantee he’ll be at peak form.
Unless he starts playing in the next game or two, it’s reasonable to expect Lowry will not be at 100 percent.
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That gives the Bucks an opportunity, one they took advantage of the last time these two teams met. Khris Middleton led the way in a 101-94 victory of the Raptors on 4th. Including that game, the Bucks are 12-3 since that point; the Raptors are a more pedestrian 8-5.
With a starting lineup featuring elite defenders from 1-4, and up-and-coming anchor Thon Maker, the Bucks are well equipped to slow down what was once the top offense in the nation. If Toronto shifts into their new-look all-defense lineup, the Bucks can downsize to match up with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the five.
Toronto will deservedly be favored in a potential first-round series, but they shouldn’t feel secure.
The elite defense Milwaukee brings to the table since Khris Middleton’s return should scare any team, but especially a Toronto team currently relying on one player — DeMar DeRozan — to generate offense.
The Raptors have been vulnerable to first-round upsets in the recent past, the Bucks will enter a first-round matchup with confidence and an eye on a series victory.