In last season's playoffs, the Toronto Raptors were the number one seed in the East. They had a matchup with the fourth seeded Cavs in the second round, and got swept. This led to many people calling Toronto "LeBronto", as LeBron has been known to walk through the Raptors whenever they play them. Two games into the second round, the Raptors are down 2-0 against the Bucks, and have received a thrashing from Giannis Antetokounmpo and company.
Let's start with game one. Toronto was playing very well throughout the first three quarters of the game, and were up 7 entering the fourth quarter. Kawhi Leonard was playing excellent and had 29 points. Then, the fourth quarter happened. No Raptor other than Kyle Lowry scored a field goal in this timeframe, and the lead slowly became a deficit. The Raptors had no answer for Brook "Splash Mountain" Lopez, who had 29 points, 11 rebounds, and the game sealing three. Still, this game wasn't a bad sign for the Raptors as they proved they could go blow for blow with Milwaukee.
This motivation should have been a driving force for the Raptors, and game 2 should at least have been a close one. Instead, the game redefined the term "blowout" and the Raptors didn't lead for a single second. Giannis had an astounding 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 assists, and dominated the offensive boards. Kawhi Leonard had absolutely no help whatsoever, and he was the only Raptor that outscored Ersan Ilyasova(yes you read that right).
The Raptors need to change something, and they need to do it fast. The Bucks are much better than the Magic and 76ers, and losing two games in a row is way too many. If the Raptors don't win both games on their own floor to tie the series up, this series could be over much quicker than anybody expected.
Comentarios