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Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 loss vs. Bucks

By Jonathan Turco

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 15: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 15: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Kawhi Leonard held in check

Kawhi Leonard has been sensational this postseason. He scored the NBA’s third most points in a series (243) all-time last round, and Wednesday night was no different. He poured in 31 points, his eighth time this postseason were he had a 30-point performance.

Even though he was scoring, it was how he was getting his offense that was troublesome. In the first quarter he had nine points, shooting 3-for-6 from the field. For the rest of the game, his mid-range jumpers were rolling off the rim or coming up short. He was able to get 14 points in the third quarter, but he was aggressively forcing his offense and fighting off double-teams near the paint while trying to get himself into a rhythm.

What made Leonard special this postseason run was his ability to carry his team in the clutch. Unfortunately, Wednesday night he did not do so as advertised. In the fourth quarter, he had only two points, shooting 0-for-3 from the field — his worst mark this postseason. As mentioned before, it wasn’t just Kawhi who came up short down the stretch; all Raptors not named Kyle Lowry combined to shoot 0-for-15 in the final frame.

The Raptors will have to do a better chance getting their superstar better looks and more support with consistent outside shooting. Even Lowry, who was absolutely sensational Wednesday night, needs to utilize his elite playmaking skills more. He cannot have only two assists on the night as one of the primary ball-handlers. Toronto plays best when it’s a cohesive unit not running constant isolation plays through one of the two All-Stars.

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