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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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Nov 25, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Key positional matchups

Forward

Such is the versatility of Antetokounmpo, it is impossible to say small forward or power forward or point guard. The matchup is between Antetokounmpo and four quality Toronto defenders. In the starting line-up, Antetokounmpo will be taken by DeMarre Carroll and Serge Ibaka. The bench unit will be able to switch P.J Tucker and Patrick Patterson onto him.

The ability of Antetokounmpo to play through these different defensive matchups will determine how far Milwaukee go in the series. Without Jabari Parker who is out for the season through injury, there is no one in the front court to take the heat off Antetokounmpo.

Point Guard

I will start this section off by saying that I think that Kyle Lowry will be the player of the series. He is that good and has been under-rated by the league for way too long. Milwaukee will throw  rookie of the year candidate Malcolm Brogdon at Lowry first. Then they will bring defensive pest Matthew Dellavedova off the bench and then the experience of Jason Terry.

If the Bucks find a way to contain the Toronto floor general, they will go a long way to staying relevant in the series.

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