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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; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) gets by Milwaukee Bucks PG Matthew Dellavedova (8) 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
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) gets by Milwaukee Bucks PG Matthew Dellavedova (8) 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 /

Bucks’ Backcourt Lockdown

Kyle Lowry is a three-time All-Star, averaged 22.4 points per game this season and entered the series well-rested after recovering from a wrist injury.

On Saturday, Lowry could muster just four points on 2-for-11 shooting, his lowest scoring output in a playoff game since arriving in Toronto.

Prior to the game, it was expected that Lowry would use his combination of strength and speed to overcome the pesky defense that Milwaukee provided in their backcourt.

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    • Rookie Malcolm Brogdon and free agent addition Matthew Dellavedova had successful defensive seasons, but most nights they didn’t get the challenge of guarding a player such as Lowry.

    It turns out they were up for the challenge, harrying Lowry all game and preventing him from reaching his spots. They fought over screens, trusting the Bucks’ aggressive scheme to wall off an easy path to the paint for the split second until they regained position.

    Lowry was unable to adjust.

    Specifically when guarded by “The President” (Brogdon) or “Delly,” Lowry missed all eight of his shot attempts, including six from behind the arc. Lowry’s teammate, DeMar DeRozan, got some momentum in the first half, primarily against Tony Snell.

    That led Kidd to deploy double-point guard lineups in the second half, as Brogdon and Dellavedova played side by side and spread the defensive pain.

    Overall, Toronto players shot just 3-for-23 when guarded by one of those two players, a key piece of Toronto shooting just 32 percent for the game.

    With Snell, Khris Middleton and their pesky backcourt, the Bucks have a seemingly endless supply of defenders to throw at the Raptors. If Toronto can’t find a way to break free, this upset could come to fruition in a hurry.

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