Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 3 crusher vs. Raptors
3. Bucks allow Raptors a first quarter surge
Not looking to go down 3-0 in front of their home crowd, the Raptors came out with a heightened sense of urgency in Game 3, one Milwaukee failed to match. Toronto shot 46.2 percent from the field compared to just 33.3 percent for the Bucks en route to a 30-21 lead after the first quarter of action.
Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam combined for 16 in the frame while Norman Powell exploded for 10 early points on 4-of-5 shooting. Home-court advantage is a dangerous asset to go up against, one Milwaukee let affect it early by allowing the crowd at Scotiabank Arena to pump some energy into their team.
The real difference during the first 12 minutes of action was the turnover battle, won by Toronto by a startling margin of 6-1. Those extra possessions ignited its transition game and allowed the Raptors easy baskets off a discombobulated Bucks defense.
That first quarter was what Toronto needs to continue to do. Keep Milwaukee away from the rim, limit turnovers and push the pace. Raptors are far better when they get out and run than when they are up against Bucks' stout halfcourt D.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 19, 2019
There’s an extra gear available for the home team capable of propelling them past any deficit. Playing in front of their home fans at the Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee can afford to get off to a slow start. It’s exactly what happened in Game 1, where the Raptors outscored the Bucks 34-23 in the first quarter yet wounded up losing the game by eight.
On the road, an early nine-point deficit is unacceptable. Toronto’s fanbase is too rabid with a legitimate impact. In Game 4, the Bucks have to come out with a heightened level of assertiveness so as not to play from behind for a majority of the remaining 36 minutes.