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

3. X-factors need to be better

Not to sound like a broken record, but Giannis needs more from three of his starting running mates. Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic all need to be more of a factor on the offensive end. Often overshadowed, Lopez and Mirotic have been the one glaring weakness throughout the 2019 playoff run.

While being a reliable source for offensive firepower during the regular season, neither big men has seen his shot fall regularly in the postseason. Maybe it has some to do with the fact that neither player has any extensive playoff experience and the adjustments that need to be made when the game slows down, but the bottom line is, both need to be better.

The decision to insert Nikola Mirotic into the starting lineup has yet to pay dividends, as Mirotic is averaging 9.3 points per game on sub-40 percent shooting from the field.

Now credit to where credit is due: Brook Lopez has been a defensive wall through two rounds of the playoffs. Lopez’s length bothered Andre Drummond and the gluttony of Celtics guards who attempted to take advantage of Lopez on switches but were ultimately turned away from the basket.

Averaging 2.1 blocks per game through nine appearances does help, but Lopez’s 41 percent field goal clip and a horribly low 27.9 percent success rate from long range will not cut it against Toronto’s 1-2 punch at center with Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka.