NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from Toronto beating Milwaukee

The Toronto Raptors proved to be the better team in their takedown of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs, 4-2. Here are five takeaways from the series.

Holding on by the skin of their teeth, the Raptors pushed past the Bucks in Game 6 on Thursday night, advancing to the Conference Semifinals where they’ll face the Cleveland Cavaliers. The rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals will tip off in Cleveland this coming Monday. Before they try to avenge 2016’s playoff departure, let’s take a look back at how they got here, where they’re going, and what lies in store for the Bucks.

5. Adjustments matter

Good on Dwane Casey for recognizing the lineup which propelled his team to 50 wins and the 3-seed wasn’t going to seize this particular playoff series. Basketball is all about matchups and adjustments are necessary to winning. Utilizing a one-size-fits-all approach leaves you vulnerable to the right type of opponent. The Bucks proved to be that opponent and Casey reacted accordingly.

Sticking with what got them there would have been the easy thing to do, and as a coach, you don’t want to disrupt the delicate management of egos and confidence in the locker room. However, there does come an inflection point between showing loyalty to your guys and doing what’s right for the team.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and after Game 3’s drubbing, Casey knew he had to go small and add more speed on the court. He swapped Norman Powell for Jonas Valanciunas and the rest is history. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, but Jason Kidd couldn’t find the right combination to regain the advantage in the series.