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2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 10: Routine Warriors Dominance, Raptors Got The Powell And Happy Trails, Trail Blazers

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) and center Jakob Poeltl (42) celebrate a basket during the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-93. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) and center Jakob Poeltl (42) celebrate a basket during the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-93. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd watches the play during the third quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-93. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Bucks Aren’t Done Yet

It doesn’t look good for the Milwaukee Bucks. The average age of their starting lineup is barely over 23, Jabari Parker is missed right about now and inserting Norman Powell into the starting five has totally changed the series for Toronto.

But the Bucks also haven’t played particularly well over the last two games. That, plus home-court advantage in Game 6, plus Giannis Antetokounmpo, plus the Playoff Raptors being the Playoffs Raptors tells us this series could go the distance.

In Game 5, Milwaukee got just eight points on 3-of-8 shooting out of Khris Middleton. The Bucks were out-rebounded by 18. Matthew Dellavedova was a -21 in 22 minutes off the bench. Aside from the Greek Freak (30 points, nine rebounds), only Malcolm Brogdon showed up to help.

That has to change — and should change — in a do-or-die Game 6 at home, where the Bucks went 23-18 this season. It’s time for a reappearance from Playoff Giannis.