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Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from pivotal Game 5 win vs. Bucks

By Jonathan Turco

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 23: Danny Green #14 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors high five during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks on May 23, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum 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 23: Danny Green #14 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors high five during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks on May 23, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum 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 /

The Toronto Raptors win on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks in a pivotal Game 5, 105-99. The Raptors take a commanding lead in the series, 3-2.

The Toronto Raptors were victorious Thursday night in a pivotal Game 5 match against the Milwaukee Bucks. With the win, the Raptors lead the Eastern Conference Finals series, 3-2. They head home for Game 6 Saturday night with the chance to close out the series and become Eastern Conference champions for the first time ever.

Leading the way for the Raptors was their superstar, Kawhi Leonard. He had a game-high 35 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals on 11-of-25 shooting. His frontcourt partner, Pascal Siakam, despite his struggles shooting (5-of-15), put in a double-double effort with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Off the bench, Fred VanVleet was sensational in the second half, helping lead his team to victory with 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting from 3-point range.

For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with 24 points, six rebounds and six assists on 9-of-18 shooting. Malcolm Brogdon, who was inserted into the starting lineup, rewarded his team with a double-double effort, putting up 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two makes from deep on 8-for-17 shooting from the field. Eric Bledsoe had his best offensive performance in the series, contributing 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting.

The Bucks came out with relentless energy and intensity, taking a strong lead to start the game. The Raptors’ Danny Green missed his first three open looks and quickly got the hook to the bench for Norman Powell. After the adjustment, Toronto slowly “clawed” its way back into the game cutting the gap to 10 to end the first frame.

The second quarter was drastically different for the Bucks. After scoring 32 points in the first frame, they were held to 17 points in the second and the Raptors only trailed by three heading into halftime.

To start the third quarter very similarly to the first, the Bucks came out strong, extending their lead back to double digits while Green struggled again from the floor. The Raptors made the adjustment again with VanVleet coming in, shooting the lights out. He had back-to-back makes from deep, helping his team to cut the gap once again.

The fourth quarter should be labeled the Kawhi Show. Leonard scored 15 points in the final period, including four straight buckets to give his team the lead. Marc Gasol and Siakam were amazing defensively, protecting the paint and stifling the Bucks anytime they tried scoring inside. The Bucks were able to tie the game at 93 with 2:44 to go, but FVV answered back with a make from beyond the arc and Toronto never relinquished its lead for the rest of the game.

The Bucks held the lead for the most of the first three quarters, but in the fourth quarter they were stifled by the Raptors defense with the game on the line. Here are three takeaways from the pivotal Game 5 win.

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