Milwaukee Bucks face Toronto Raptors in clash of Eastern Conference title rivals
Watch Milwaukee Bucks @ Toronto Raptors live on Sky Sports USA in the early hours of Friday morning (1am)
Friday 1 February 2019 03:17, UK
The Milwaukee Bucks look to make statement as they visit Eastern Conference title rivals the Toronto Raptors, live on Sky Sports USA.
The Bucks (36-13) come into this matchup with a 4-3 record across their last seven games, as they've struggled against elite competition away from their home arena. Those three losses all came on the road against the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets.
Live NBA: Milwaukee @ Toronto
The Raptors (37-15) have won seven of their last eight games with franchise star Kawhi Leonard, now back and fully healthy, averaging 31.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals across his last seven appearances.
Milwaukee excel at both ends of the floor and currently rank second in scoring and first in defensive efficiency. Toronto are the only other team ranking in top 10 in both those statistics.
The Raptors will have their hands full with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 26.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Milwaukee and Toronto have played three times this season already, with the Bucks winning twice. This marks their fourth and final regular season meeting and the winner will take first-place in the Eastern Conference.
Key Battle: Kyle Lowry vs Eric Bledsoe
This collision of All-Star calibre two-way point guards should be a thrilling individual battle. Bledsoe has arguably superseded Khris Middleton as Milwaukee's second-best player this season and averages of 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists - augmented by his elite-level defense - have him pushing for a place among the Eastern Conference All-Star reserves.
The equally hard-nosed Lowry has adapted to a new role this season, deferring to Kawhi Leonard as Toronto's primary scorer but upping his game as a facilitator. He's averaging a career-best 9.4 assists per game and continues, despite season-long shooting woes, to be the mainstay of the franchise and provide the Raptors with veteran leadership.
Last time out
Numbers game
57.4 per cent - That is Milwaukee's league-leading two-point field goal percentage.
It is a figure that reflects Giannis Antetokounmpo's ability to consistently score at the rim and the inability of opposing defenses to stop him from doing so.
Giannis' dominance in the paint - and the fact that he is also surrounded by good three-point shooters - allows the Bucks to ignore inefficient mid-range shots.
One to watch (Bucks): Brook Lopez
Lopez has evolved from traditional NBA center to modern big man spacing the floor with long-distance shooting. He didn't make a three-pointer until the seventh season of his career - this year he has already made 125 (at a more than respectable 39.1 per cent).
That three-point prowess makes him a perfect ingredient in the Bucks' offense where space inside is key for Antetokounmpo to thrive.
One to watch (Raptors): Pascal Siakam
Third-year pro Siakam already has an Eastern Conference Player of the Week award to his name this season and is making the transition from promising young player to break out star.
Siakam has established himself as a starter this season and his excellent defense complements his efficient offensive output. He is posting career-best averages in minutes, points and rebounds and is scoring at an impressive 55.9 per cent from the field.
