NBA PLAYOFFS: EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

#1 MILWAUKEE
#2 TORONTO

SEASON SERIES (MIL 3-1)


The Milwaukee Bucks owned the leagues best record going (60-22), clinched the #1 seed in the East and were top 5 efficiency rating in offense and defense during the regular season. Since the playoffs have started, they look like the same exact team and maybe even better. Milwaukee now including the playoffs have a total of (68) victories on the season while reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001 an are poised on making it to the NBA Finals for the first time in over four decades. They have the #1 defense and #2 offense during the playoffs. No other team is even in the top (5) in both categories. Just one loss during these playoffs as every team left has suffered at least (3) or more losses. (52) wins during the regular season by (10+) or more points while dominating the postseason as well with five wins by (20+) or more thus far in the playoffs is the most in NBA history. Their is no denying their talent on both ends of the floor. Their tenacious defense literally shut down Celtics guard Kyrie Irving. Irving shot (35.6% FG), his worst shooting percentage ever in the playoffs. As he scored just (102) points on (104) shots; horrific. Milwaukee forced bad shots and isolation ball throughout the series, this after getting blown out at home in game by (22) points. Head coach Mike Budenholzer in his first season with the Bucks, frontrunner for NBA Coach of the Year, made the adjustments after the Celtics shot over (54% FG / 41% 3PT) in game 1, as Boston never recovered shooting less than (40% FG / 30% 3PT) over the next four games. The Bucks offense found its rhythm. After scoring just (90) points in their embarrassing game 1 loss at home; Milwaukee scored - (GM 2- 123 / GM 3 - 123 / GM 4 - 113 / GM 5 -116).


Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo (27.4 ppg / 15.3 rpg / 57.8% FG), Boston had no answer for the Greek Freak. Even in game 4 when Giannis was in foul trouble, Milwaukee's deep bench stepped up going on a (32-9) run while Greek sat and proved to be the difference. Milwaukee bench has been better than advertised all regular season while proving they are not going anywhere during the postseason. The likes of George Hill, Nikola Mirotic, Ersan Ilyasova, and Pat Connaughton all rose to the occasion as the Bucks bench outscored the Celtics bench by (51) points over their (5) game series. Not to mention first time all-star Khris Middleton who is shooting (47% 3PT) an averaging (19 ppg / 6 rpg) during the playoffs. The Bucks averaged (38.2 - 3PT) attempts per game (2nd - NBA), a vast difference from the (24.7 - 3PT) they averaged a season ago which ranked 25th in the NBA. Brook Lopez benefited most off that, shooting a career best (36% 3PT) however has took a decline since the playoffs averaging just (27% 3PT). Eric Bledsoe made up for his lackluster performance against the C's last season. Though not the best statistically, his defense alongside a consistent game 5 performance made up for his inconsistencies offensive and has helped propel the Bucks into a rare feat, a conference finals berth.


We the North, more like King of the North; because that is what Kawhi Leonard established himself as. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP has made life in another country look easy. Leonard is clearly the Toronto Raptors best player and left the east semis with an emphatic statement crushing the souls of the Philadelphia 76ers and their fans with his incredible game 7, game winning buzzer beater to win the series (4-3) an advance to the ECF. Leonard's buzzer beater was heard around the world an actually some real emotion was shown on the face of a player who rarely shows any or at all emotion on/off the court. Leonard was dominate the entire series averaging (34.7 ppg / 9.9 rpg / 54% FG). Those totals itself alone didn't tell the entire series. Leonard on/off the court net efficiency rating was ridiculous as the Raptors were abysmal when Leonard was not on the court in comparison to the superstar playing. Raptors head coach Nick Nurse really had to pick and choose his spots wisely when taking Kawhi out the game, especially when it came to the 4th quarter. His buzzer beater was the first in a game 7 in NBA playoff history. Nobody had shot a walk off buzzer beater in game 7 playoff history while it was just the second ever in the postseason. The first was Michael Jeffrey Jordan when he hit the iconic "the shot" over Craig Ehlo in the 1989 east first round series crushing the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kawhi has posted five (20 and 10) games, (9) straight (20+) point or more games as well as seven (30+) or more games in an entire postseason; all of which are Toronto Raptors franchise and team records. This from a dude who just stepped into Canada this season and played just barely (60) regular season games while coming off a major injury just a year ago. I guess we can see who won the Kawhi/DeRozan trade. Leonard dropped (45) points in game 1 and (41) in game 7 with a sandwich of unbelievable games where his presence was known on both ends of the floor as he and the Raptors advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2016 where they lost to eventual NBA champions; LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While Leonard shot bounced around the rim enough to give us time to realize, he will need some help if the Raptors look to make it to their first ever Finals appearance. Kyle Lowry longtime Toronto Raptor has played a subpar postseason yet again but in game 7; (10 pts / 6 reb / 6 ast) did not reflect on the hustle late in that game. Crucial rebounds from one of the smallest players on the floor climbing between Embiid and the Sixers, Lowry got timely offensive boards, a beautiful and one late and consistent defense that also contributed to their series clinching win. Serge Ibaka has been very quiet during the playoffs however, big 3's late in that game 7 to go along with (17 pts / 8 boards) finally gave Leonard and the Raptors the extra help they needed. If I had a vote, Most Improved Player - Paschal Siakam (20.8 ppg / 7.3 rpg) has been pretty much the only consistent player outside of Kawhi Leonard. Over the last (3) postseasons, Siakam went from (2017 - 0.0 ppg / 2018 - 6.6 ppg / 2019 - 20.8 ppg) and continues to improve on a nightly basis. He has averaged (24.3 ppg / 64.5% FG) against the Bucks this season and they will need every bit of what he can bring to the table versus a complete team as they get in Milwaukee. Only in there game 5 rout of the Sixers we seen a balanced attack on offense for Toronto. Coming off a brutal (7) game series on short rest, adjustments will be need to made quickly for KLAW and company.



Milwaukee dominated the seasons series between these two teams winning (3 out of 4) games. One of the matchups featured both superstars Giannis and Kawhi sidelined, however, as stated before that Milwaukee Bucks defense and depth proved to be the difference. Milwaukee versus Toronto, the Bucks have averaged scoring (116.9 PPG - 103.6 PPG) between the (4) games. Both teams shot the ball fairly well against one another, but Toronto who has been putrid in the playoffs shooting (3PT) must do better in this category. The Raptors shot over (40% 3PT) only once in four games against the Bucks, that was their only win in the season series. Other than that game where both Leonard and Siakam went off for (30 pts) a piece, Toronto has shot around (25% 3PT) in their losses. Just as Milwaukee shut down the C's from behind the arc forcing them to shoot less than (30% 3PT) in their losses in the previous series; Toronto shot just as bad against a good defensive team in Philadelphia, but Milwaukee plays much better team defense which will be detrimental for a Raptors team who is limited in scoring outside of Leonard. In fact, "playoff Lowry" went (0-5) and scoreless in a game versus the Bucks this season. For some reason Serge Ibaka has shown he can play well against Milwaukee. Ibaka has averaged (22.3 ppg / 48% FG) this season versus Milwaukee and has been more consistent then Kawhi in these matchups. Will we get this same Ibaka come tomorrow night? Milwaukee with their depth and length defensively will cause mismatches for the Raptors the entire series especially if they are not hitting three's. The Bucks outrebounded Toronto had dominated points in the paint for the majority of their series. Milwaukee is the top rebounding team in the playoffs with (52) a game on average. Marc Gasol, who is far from the Gasol we are accustomed to seeing in Memphis will be crucial in his play. Not just on defense going out to play against Lopez who will stretch the floor, but on offense. Gasol had to chase around Embiid of screens and pick and rolls, a little less demanding coming from Brook Lopez, so a more aggressive approach on the offensive end will be needed. Paschal Siakim must not be afraid to shoot. Now unless the Raptors cannot hit the side of a barn from (3PT) do not force it or it will be a quick series. However, Philly was giving Siakam the green light to shoot those outside shots. He has definitely worked on his game over the last (3) seasons improving his shot, and being hesitant in this series will find you back in Cameroon quick, fast and in a hurry. Siakam is clearly their second best player and will need to play like it. Being said, Khris Middleton has yet to cool off. Shooting ridiculous numbers from the perimeter, Middleton has answered the call if Greek is having an off night. Giannis went for (41) once in their series during the regular season; however, the Bucks have had a collective front with at least (5) or more players averaging double-figures versus Toronto.

The way the Bucks play defense, they do have tendencies to foul a lot, this is where the Raptors will have to find ways to get to the free throw line. Milwaukee got to the line more than the Raptors but Toronto shoots FT's very well, and finding ways to get in the bonus early and putting pressure on the Bucks bench if their starters get into foul trouble will keep you in games. Milwaukee (6.7) blocks per leads the playoffs while Toronto (8.3) steals per game is tops in the association. Turning turnovers into points is another aspect they will have to exploit. Transition and fast break points will be pivotal. Especially with a half court set defense like the Bucks as well as Raptors guard Danny Green will need to find his shot from long distant. Green who averaged (45% 3PT) during the regular season has been limited just shooting (36% 3PT) in the playoffs. Toronto must get their role players involved early to find some type of flow offensively other than Kawhi. Leonard leads all players in first quarter points (8.9) and the Raptors found success in their last series by dominating the first quarter which ultimately led to their victories. The Raptors have managed to not commit many turnovers and must keep it that way. With Malcolm Brogdon return, depth just got deeper for coach Bud and his Bucks. Milwaukee plays this 5 out spacing offense predicated on shooting the (3PT), spacing the floor while creating (1 on 1 ) opportunities for Greek. You up for the task KLAW? Leonard is an elite defender and has proven he guard the best of them; ask LeBron James during the 2014 Finals. Better yet ask anybody on the Sixers roster. Counter that, the Sixers had no answers for Leonard. As he showed the mid range game is still a primary part of game of basketball even in the year 2019 and the age of the Warriors.


Milwaukee approach on defense, they going to force Toronto to make shots from deep. Kawhi vs Greek is the matchup of these playoffs thus far. Leonard is going against a player taller than Jimmy Butler and bigger and stronger than Ben Simmons. The way Kawhi was able to abuse Butler in the post, take Simmons off the dribble won't be the same. Yes, we seen him hit one hell of a shot over (7'2) Embiid which will go down as one of the most epic shots in NBA playoff history, Kawhi shot is actually kind of flat and straight on. That is why so many chances for offensive rebounds came up during that Sixers series for the Raptors. Constantly shooting over the top of Greek will be daunting. While the likes of Middleton and Brogdon will provide a constant change at the guard on who will be defending Leonard an as I stated before, Milwaukee is the best defensive team left in the playoffs. Greek will have to find his perimeter shooting as well. Maybe not from (3PT) but a consistent mid range game will be needed from him. This (1 on 1) matchup of trying to beat Leonard to the basket every time won't go Greek way all the time. Leonard's long arms, huge hands, and ability to stay in front of opposing players could get into the psyche of young Greek who has never been on this stage. Leonard and the majority of the Toronto Raptors have even going to their coaching staff. Besides coach Budenholzer stint with that (60) wins Hawks team, not much experience on Milwaukee. Being said, I believe the home court, depth, and the Bucks ability to play great offense and defense will be the eventual downfall for the Raptors. Outside of Kawhi who can you really count on for Toronto? Outside of Greek, Milwaukee has plenty of depth that can step up if Giannis is having a bad night. Advantage - "Fear the Deer."  MILWAUKEE IN 6, maybe 5