Milwaukee Bucks: 5 keys to 2019 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Raptors

5. Consistent bench production

It feels like a broken record harping on the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench production, but they have been the saving grace for this 60-win team.

Through two rounds of the playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks have averaged 37.4 points per game from their bench, which is good enough for third overall, only behind the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, but leads the pack in regards to the four remaining teams.

Toronto, on the other hand, which was once heralded for its strong bench play and platoon style philosophy of basketball, sank to second-to-last in bench production, mustering up a measly 21.6 bench points throughout this playoff run.

With the introduction of Malcolm Brogdon after his month-long hiatus to a bench led by a reinvigorated George Hill, it would be far from a surprise to see an already impressive 37.4 points from the bench increase.

Not only has the bench been a revelation on the offensive side of the basketball, but the second string backcourt is also proving to be a stellar defensive combination.

The aforementioned George Hill and Pat Connaughton have proved to be the X-factors of the Bucks’ dominant playoff run, particularly against Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics, all but neutralizing and outplaying the Celtics guards for the majority of the series. If the same intensity carries over against the Raptors, it will cause problems for a top-heavy opponent.