Raptors hold strong against Bucks to even series: 3 takeaways from Game 2

The Toronto Raptors escaped Game 2 on Tuesday, sending the series back to Milwaukee all knotted up at 1-1.

Behind a deluge of 3’s (14-29, 48.3 percent) the Toronto Raptors got a much-needed victory on Tuesday night. Their opening-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks is all level at one game apiece.

It was a game of runs, with each team experiencing offensive onslaughts and periods of stagnancy. Midway through the third quarter, Toronto stormed out to a 13-point lead, but Milwaukee kept chipping away. They ended the quarter on a six-point run, going into the fourth down one.

Once there, the drama fittingly unfolded. It was a series of back and forths, exchanging big shots and defensive stops. Ultimately, the inexperience of the young Bucks showed.

It’s hard to say anyone could have an off night by scoring 24 points, hauling in 15 rebounds and dishing 7 assists, but that’s what happens when you’re an otherworldly talent. Although he came alive towards the end, Giannis  Antetokounmpo shot 37.5 percent from the field and was taken out of his flow by the Raptors’ defensive scheme. Calibrating his game on the fly will be the next big part of his development.

Takeaways

Kyle Lowry has a short memory. Lowry came out in front of the Toronto faithful on Tuesday night as if his Game 1 stink bomb never happened. He stayed aggressive, consistently got into the teeth of the defense and either drew a foul or kicked it out to an open man.

Lowry got to the line nine times, shot 50 percent from the field and got five dimes to go with his 22 points. He did have a quiet fourth quarter though…that was until this:

Lowry nailed the biggest shot of Game 2, putting the Raptors up by four with 8.9 seconds left and keeping the Bucks at bay.

Dwane Casey learns to play chess. With all due respect to the Vincesanity era, this is probably the best team the Raptors have fielded since their inception. Be that as it may, it’s hard, understandable even, not stubbornly sticking to what got you 51 wins and the No. 3 seed.

However, these aren’t one-off games. A playoff series is a chess match, giving you time to study your opponent, map out a strategy, and counter what they do. Game 2 was Casey’s turn to make a move.

Casey reacted to Game 1’s let down with a combination of loyalty to who got him here and adjusting to who gave him the best shot at winning. He kept his starting five intact, but went small down the stretch with Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, P.J. Tucker, Patrick Patterson, and Serge Ibaka. Jonas Valanciunas rode the bench for the game’s penultimate 16 minutes. Both he and DeMarre Carroll saw their minute totals dwindle, but were effective in their reduced facilities.

Toronto tightens the screws on D. Heading to Milwaukee down 0-2 would have been a death knell for the Raptors’ season, and they played like a team who knew it. The key ingredient in Toronto’s winning recipe this year was their defense, and Game 2 saw them pull out their cook book.

For 48 minutes, the Raptors’ defense intensified. From the opening tip, they sent double-teams and ball-denials to knock Giannis off his game. They even met him 27 feet from the basket to not allow him to get a head of steam and clogged the paint anytime he got in the lane.

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Khris Middleton and Greg Monroe carried the Bucks offense in the first half as Giannis met a wall of resistance any time he touched the ball. While those two ended with a combined 38 points, Milwaukee’s offensive gameplan was clearly thrown off by Toronto’s defensive ramp-up.

If the Raptors hope to advance, this is the level of defense it will take. It’s now your move, Jason Kidd.