Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 3 crusher vs. Raptors

The Milwaukee Bucks had the chance to steal a Game 3 thriller against the Toronto Raptors but ultimately failed to seize the opportunity.

After winning the first two games of these 2019 Eastern Conference Finals by a combined 30 points against the Toronto Raptors, the Milwaukee Bucks were gifted a golden opportunity to prematurely finish the series with a Game 3 victory.

Milwaukee battled through quite a lot during Sunday’s double-overtime thriller. The Bucks were very uncharacteristic from beyond the 3-point line. Their leader and MVP frontrunner struggled mightily all night long. Still, they had their chance a number of times during the 10 extra minutes but couldn’t get it done, losing by the final score of 118-112.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo off his game, the Bucks received hefty contributions from a number of unlikely sources. It was George Hill who led the team in scoring on this night, finishing with 24 points off the bench. Malcolm Brogdon had 20 of his own while four other players for Milwaukee scored in double figures.

The Raptors saw a similar all-around team effort in this crucial victory to stave off a do-or-die elimination Game 4. Kawhi Leonard posted a game-high 36 points along with nine rebounds and five assists. Paskal Siakam broke out of his mini-slump to put in 25, but the true breakout performer for Toronto was Norman Powell, who scored 19 on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

For as disappointing a loss as this was, it was luckily a game the Bucks didn’t necessarily have to win. Still up 2-1 in this series, they can take solace in the fact that despite having so much gone wrong at both ends of the court, a victory was still well within their reach.