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Eastern Conference playoffs preview – Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks

By Matthew Hallett

Dec 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives towards the basket as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives towards the basket as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Strengths/Weaknesses

Toronto Raptors

Strengths – The undoubted strength of the Toronto Raptors is it’s depth. Most teams who lose a player of the quality of Kyle Lowry for 22 games would struggle. The Raptors had a 15-7 record when their star point guard was out.

The Raptors have players who can come into the starting line-up and perform. Their depth is also on display with their defense. Starting power forward Serge Ibaka started his career on defense before adding offense to his game. He is 42nd all time on the shot blocking list. When he rests, P.J. Tucker or Patrick Patterson can come on.

The second strength is the Toronto back court. DeRozan and Lowry average around 50 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and two steals per game. Opposition back courts will struggle to hold down this pair of studs. They have led the team to be one of three who are top ten in both offense and defensive rating. The other two are the powerhouses of Golden State and San Antonio

Weaknesses – The biggest weakness of the Raptors is the three ball. They have only two players who regularly shoot threes at or above 40 percent: Lowry and Serge Ibaka. DeRozan can shoot a long two but floor spacing in the NBA Playoffs is vital.

Milwaukee Bucks

Strengths – Giannis Antetokounmpo…yes one player can be a strength. He is such a live wire and leads the Bucks in every single statistical category. Antetokounmpo shoots at a startling 52 percent from the field, mainly because he attacks the hoop with vigor and is such a difficult body to match up to. Now that he has one of his most important wing men back in Khris Middleton who is a 43 percent three point shooter on the season, the floor opens up for this freak of nature.

A second strength of the Bucks is their unpredictability. This is a young team with a lot of athleticism. They are controlled by Antetokounmpo, Dellavedova and Brogdon, all of whom are capable play makers who can lead an offense with style.

Weaknesses – With youth comes inexperience. During the NBA Playoffs, a steady head is vital for success. Of the starting lineup, Antetokounmpo has played the most games with 318. Yes Jason Terry has played the 12th most in NBA history with 1,359 but 4.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game on the season is not enough to impact the playoffs.

The second weakness of concern is their unpredictability. Yes, their strength is also their weakness. This young team need to have some good solid plays to fall back on in the cauldron that are the NBA Playoffs. Without these bread and butter points, teams will easily account for the Bucks.

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