The Toronto Raptors fell short of winning Game 1 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks, 108-100.
The Toronto Raptors lost a close one on the road to the Milwaukee Bucks to kick off the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals. Their inability to capitalize on opportunities to help close the gap or extend their lead in the clutch was their undoing this game. Going into Game 1, all media outlets were discussing the Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Kawhi Leonard matchup. The story Wednesday night belongs to another from each respective team.
One was Kyle Lowry, who posted his best game of this postseason. He had 30 points, eight rebounds and two assists on 10-of-15 shooting from the field, including 7-of-9 from deep. It was his highest shooting percentage (66.7 percent) in the postseason and he was his usual pestering self on the other end of the floor.
Kawhi Leonard had another 30-point effort and near double-double, contributing 31 points and nine rebounds on 10-for-36 shooting. He was effective defensively, swiping the ball from his opponent on three separate occasions. Pascal Siakam was held to a similarly inefficient shooting night of 15 points on 6-of-20 shooting.
For the Bucks, Brook Lopez was the main headliner for Game 1. He was sensational on both ends, putting up 29 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks on 12-for-21 shooting. He led his team in outside shooting with four makes on the night on 11 attempts. Three other starters and Malcolm Brogdon, who came off the bench, were in double-digits for scoring on the night. Giannis had a double-double on the night, with 24 points, 14 rebounds and six assists on 7-for-16 shooting.
To start the game, Giannis went on an individual 6-0 run, using his size and length to beat the Raptors’ rim protectors. Toronto responded, taking advantage of mismatches and the team collectively getting hot from deep. The Raptors saw themselves with a double-digit lead to end the frame, 34-23. The second quarter was more of game of runs, with both teams having momentum at different times. Despite getting outscored in the frame, 28-25, Toronto still held an eight-point lead at half.
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Toronto’s shooters cooled off significantly in the third quarter, running the offense through Leonard, who had 14 of the team’s 24 points in the frame. On the back of Lopez, the Bucks started hitting from deep and were able to close the gap. Siakam ended the quarter on a buzzer-beating heave from near the logo, extending the lead back to seven.
The fourth quarter was where the Raptors collapsed. Milwaukee started the frame on a 20-8 run, taking the lead. Lowry did his best to give his team a chance, but after his missed free throw and then missed shots by his teammates in the clutch, it ended all hopes of a Raptors win. Here are the takeaways from the Game 1 loss.