After getting hammered by 27 points in Game 3, the Toronto Raptors bounced back quickly to take Game 4 in Milwaukee with strong defense and tremendous performances from their starting backcourt. Dwane Casey made a minor adjustment in Game 4, which worked, benching Jonas Valanciunas for Norman Powell. A smaller starting unit improved the defense and Valanciunas became more effective off the bench.
Toronto's defense
The Raptors had the third best defense in the league after the All-Star break when they acquired Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, and that defense finally showed up.
Toronto held the Bucks to 76 points on 37 percent shooting and shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo, allowing him to score just 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting and forcing him to make seven turnovers.
Taking control of the series and being back home, expect the Raptors defense to be suffocating once again. The small lineup has made them quicker and more versatile, making it easier to switch on picks and double team Antetokounmpo in the mid-post area.
The backcourt threat
Throughout the series, Toronto's backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan has been inconsistent. If one was playing well, the other wasn't, but that wasn't the case in Game 4. While Lowry had 18 points, four assists and four rebounds, DeRozan filled up the stat sheet, putting up 33 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Perhaps the two All-Stars have finally found their rhythm, and they should have fantastic performances again at home in Game 5. The key has been their aggressiveness. They are attacking the basket rather than settling for outside shots.
Milwaukee's bench
The Bucks bench has been a constant throughout this series, most specifically Greg Monroe, who has been providing steady scoring and rebounding.
In Game 4, except for Monroe, the remainder of the second unit was a non-factor. That must change in Game 5 if the Bucks want to steal another one in Toronto.
Guys like Matthew Dellavedova, Jason Terry, and Michael Beasley need to be as effective as they were in Game 3. Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are going to need more help offensively, and the bench has to be their calling card.
The pace of the game
The Bucks would much rather play a faster pace because they are young and athletic. They thrive in transition with Antetokounmpo leading the charge. Meanwhile, the Raptors don't mind slowing it down and running half-court sets since both Lowry and DeRozan are able to find quality shots in the half court. While Lowry feasts on pick-and-rolls and penetration, DeRozan makes a living with his mid-range jumpers.
This series has been very entertaining, with the road teams winning twice. The Bucks have surprisingly overwhelmed the Raptors with their length and athleticism. However, Toronto made adjustments and have evened the series. Game 5 is scheduled to tipoff at 7 pm Eastern Time and will be televised on NBATV.
