NBA playoffs on May 21: Raptors continue to win, tying series 2-2

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The Toronto Raptors continued to win at home as they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 120-102 at the Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, tying the series 2-2.

It's a team win for Toronto as they saw six of their players – three from the starting lineup and three from the bench – score double-digit points. By contrast, Milwaukee only had three starting players drop over 10 points.

Now the Eastern Finals will move to the essential Game 5 on Thursday at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Teamwork brings Raptors victory

Norman Powell #34, Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in the game they win against the Milwaukee Bucks 120-102 at the Scotiabank Arena, May 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

Toronto deserved the win on Tuesday because they did a way better job than Milwaukee, leading in several key areas: three-pointers (14-11), free throws (24-17), rebounds (44-40) and turnover points (17-5). Toronto were also the leading side in every quarter.

Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol stood from the starting unit by scoring a total of 44 points and making six three-pointers. Norman Powell contributed the highest 18 points from the bench while Serge Ibaka had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds. Fred VanVleet became Raptors biggest surprise with 13 points and three for three from the 3-pt line.

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Raptors dunks over Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Bucks in the game, May 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

All the above efforts helped ease off the burden on Kawhi Leonard who apparently was still affected by a leg injury. Leonard only made of five shots in the first half to get five points. Nonetheless, having saved enough energy, he made an 11-point burst in the third quarter, including a facial dunk over Giannis Antetokounmpo. Thanks to this, Toronto managed to lead by 13 points (94-81) into the last quarter.

VanVleet had been criticized for his disappointing performance in the whole playoffs, but he had salvation in Game 4. Via penetration and three-pointers, VanVleet claimed seven straight points to lead the Raptors to launch a 10-3 run, extending the team's lead to 20 points (104-84), a steady advantage for them pocket the victory.

Bucks lose their biggest advantage

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Bucks dunks in the game against the Raptors, May 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

One of the reasons Milwaukee had such a terrific season so far was that every player of their franchise may stand out to make contributions. However, that ceased to be the case in Tuesday's game.

Khris Middleton put down the court's highest 30 points with quite a good efficiency of 73.3 percent (11/15) for field goals and 57.1 percent (4/7) for three-pointers. Antetokounmpo got a double-double of 25 points, 10 rebounds plus five assists and three blocks. From the beginning, the Greek Freak went aggressive to assault the rim, especially in transition.

Malcolm Brogdon #13 of the bucks handles the ball in the game against the Raptors, May 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

However, Middleton and Antetokounmpo were the only two with normal performances. Nikola Mirotic was only two for eight from the 3-pt line; Brook Lopez and Eric Bledsoe together had 12 shots, way too few as the Bucks' starting players; George Hill and Malcolm Brogdon, the team's two major guns of the bench unit failed to meet the expectations on them: Hill only took two shots while Brogdon missed nine of his 11 attempts, including all three three-pointers.

Without enough firepower, Milwaukee were outplayed by Toronto from the first half. They trailed in bench points 28-8 and were limited to only 13 in fast break points. Meanwhile, Milwaukee had to watch Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka, Powell and VanVeet make outstanding performance one by one in each quarter.

How can Bucks change their game?

Three players of the Raptors defend Giannis Atetokounmpo of the Bucks in the game, May 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Raptors seemed to have found their way of defending the Bucks, though it's a very risky move. Coach Nick Nurse was willing to have all five players close within the 3-pt line to limit Antetokounmpo: when the Greek Freak tried to drive towards the paint, the Raptors would put a player big enough to slow him down; if he posted up, Raptors center would come to join help defense before a wing player came to block Antetokounmpo's shot.

Such defensive tactics minimized the Greek Freak's power of attacking the basket at the cost of leaving open three-pointers. However, Milwaukee failed to punish Toronto – they could still make three balls but not in a row.

George Hill #3 and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Bucks in the game against the Raptors, May 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

That revealed one answer to the question. Milwaukee's shooters, Lopez, Mirotic, Middleton, Malcolm and Hill must bury those open shots. After all, they are the better 3-pt team compared with Toronto, which also meant that Toronto's three-pointers in the past two games (31/86) might not last.

Three-pointer was not the only solution for the Bucks. When Antetokounmpo was surrounded by three or even four players around the rim, slashers like Bledsoe and Brogdon would have better space for penetration. Furthermore, the Bucks must make Toronto choose between competing for offensive rebounds and quick returning defense. If they pick offensive glass, the Bucks will have a better chance for their favorite fast break; if they choose quick returning, the Raptors will lose an important source of scoring.