Game five between the Raptors and Bucks was a must win for both teams. With the Raptors winning game four to tie the series 2-2, they were coming back to Toronto with all the momentum in the series. DeMar DeRozan was the source of scoring in game four putting up 33 points. In game five they got a scoring spark from Norman Powell.
Powell was inserted into the Starting Lineup for game five and made the best of his opportunity. He finished a the teams highest scorer, as the Raptors blew out the Bucks 113-93. The Raptors got the home win they need and now can clinch the series in game six, which will be in Milwaukie.
Powell Power
Norman Powell was easily the player of the game for the Raptors. He finished with 25 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. The 25 points was a playoff career-high for him. Powell was a deadeye from three-point land this game, as he knocked down all four of his attempts. He also added a few highlight plays, grabbing a lob out of nowhere for a monstrous jam.
Head Coach Dwane Casey saw him give the team a spark in game four and wanted to keep his hot streak going into game five. The Raptors appreciated his spark offensively, as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have struggled to shoot the ball well consistently.
The Bucks had no answer for Powell, as he was scoring at will against the Bucks defense.
DeRozan added 18 points on an efficient shooting night going 50 percent from the field. Serge Ibaka also had a great night, scoring 18 points and shooting 8-10 from the court. Kyle Lowry also chipped in with 16 points of his own.
Efficient Offense
The score makes it look like a blowout, but the stats show a different story. Both teams were very efficient offensively from the floor for the game.
Both teams shot 50 percent or better from the field, taking great shots and finding the open man as both teams had 20 assists. Both teams shot well from deep as well, as they both shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc.
What made a difference in the game was the difference in rebounds. The Bucks got bullied on the boards, only getting 23 rebounds for the entire game.
The Raptors were glued to the boards, getting 40 total rebounds for the game. Both teams shot well, but when the Bucks missed, the Raptors grabbed the board. This helped them get fast break points and prevent second chance opportunities for the Bucks.
The Raptors are one win away from facing the Cavs in the conference semis. They will need to focus on shutting down the Bucks as their home stadium will be loud and ready to rumble on Thursday. Norman Powell provided a spark for Toronto this game, so will he be back in the starting lineup for a pivotal game six?
