Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Reasons They Beat The Toronto Raptors

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Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors forward DeMarreCarroll (5) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Giannis Antetokounmpo Was Aggressive — And Unstoppable

Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the midst of a breakout season, rising from exciting young player to a lock for the All-NBA team. Over the course of the regular season he was the best player either Milwaukee or Toronto had.

But against a playoff-tested Toronto team fielding an All-Star backcourt, Giannis was supposed to take a backseat and learn.

Instead he did the teaching, dominating the Raptors and dropping 28 points on 13-of-18 shooting. While Toronto stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan struggled to find their shots, Antetokounmpo got to his spot again and again, both in transition and the half-court.

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For all of his success this season, the “Greek Freak” is not an outside shooter. He hit just 27 percent of his three-pointers this season, totaling just 49 made three-pointers in 80 games.

Forcing him to shoot — and walling off the paint, his preferred work space — was supposed to be the key to shutting him down.

The problem with that strategy is that Giannis is built to destroy it. Playing off of a shooter often “dares” them to shoot. Against the 6’11” Antetokounmpo, it simply gives him an easier path to deep post position. Back off and he backs down.

Once he is nestled in deep, his impossibly long arms make dunks and layups a thing of ease.

Even doubling Giannis was difficult, as he has worked on a series of up-and-under moves that give him the crease he needs to explode to the rim. The Bucks are not flush with long-distance shooters and multiple times Antetokounmpo ended up with the ball in a crowded lane.

He simply gathered, pumped, pivoted and then roared to the hoop for a vicious dunk. The Raptors had no answers.

Toronto certainly will try throwing different things at Antetokounmpo and the series is far from over. But for those wondering whether his game would translate well to the postseason, the question has been answered.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a monster and the NBA has been put on alert.

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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Reasons They Defeated The Toronto Raptors

By Josh Cornelissen | Apr 17, 2017

Giannis Antetokounmpo Was Aggressive — And Unstoppable