2019 Eastern Conference Finals: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors preview

Key Question No. 3: How long can the Raptors sustain being a one-man offense?

Although Pascal Siakam has done his fair share during this playoff run, the Toronto Raptors have been a one-man offense for the most part. This isn’t a scenario in which there is another player on the court who can consistently create his own shots, it’s a scenario in which the Raptors live and die by No. 2.

Sure, Kawhi Leonard can do that against a filler team such as the Magic (who were just happy to be there) and a Philadelphia 76ers team that has two cornerstones whose games don’t complement each other, not to mention the ailing health of Joel Embiid. The key question that will define this series is can Kawhi propel the Toronto Raptors to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history largely by himself?

The intense workload Kawhi had to endure in the second round against the 76ers may catch up to him, as he had to guard positions 1-4 throughout the seven-game series. On the other end, he’s averaging 21.2 shot attempts per game in the postseason.  Mix in Milwaukee having the most dominant paint player we have seen since prime Shaquille O’Neal and it’s clear that something has to change.

Although Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.8 points per game throughout the postseason, far too often his points come on transition plays. Who will the Raptors turn to when they are forced to play in a half-court offense and the play breaks down?

The name that comes to mind — Kyle Lowry — may very well be who determines the series.