Gameday: Raptors @ Bucks, Oct. 29

Here we are again. Raptors-Bucks games have always been must see television. The Chris Bosh and Carlos Delfino battle of 2010? Do we forget the Matt Devlin “PUNJABI” days? Surely not. Much to the chagrin of ‘Big NBA’ the last two undefeated teams in the league are the Raptors and the Bucks. To those who have been paying attention, it’s not such a shocking development. Many pundits around the league had high expectations for both squads. The Raptors probably receiving more love. Who could have predicted Giannis Antetokounmpo would get even freakier?

Kyle Lowry is still ripping defenses to shreds, sleep-walking his way to double-digit assists. You like that sundae? I’ve got a cherry for you, mate. He’s spreading the ball around like never before. Five players receiving more than an assist a game from him, Serge Ibaka collecting 2.2. It’s so egalitarian the Nordic countries are thinking of having him draw up the next step in Democratic-Socialism (Not political, please don’t kill me). Even as Kawhi Leonard works his way back from his leg injury, he’s devastatingly sharp. He owns the baseline in Scotiabank Arena, and will score from there at will. They’re even introducing new branding to reflect that:

Back to Lowry, he’s shooting the ball better than he ever has. He’s passing better than he ever has. Due to these developments, scientists have congregated to decide if age still affects point guards. In light of this news, Deron Williams is considering dropping his Ziploc endorsement, and making a return to the league. Lowry is hitting from downtown at 53-percent, and averaging a whopping 10.3 assists. If he maintains this level of efficiency he might be as good as 14-year old Jayson Tatum. A boy can dream.

In all seriousness, Lowry’s poise has been unparalleled league-wide. The other dominant players of the league, be it the aforementioned Antetokounmpo, or Steph Curry; these players possess otherworldly attributes that Lowry doesn’t. Curry is the greatest shooter of all time, and Antetokounmpo can grow his limbs somewhat similar to Groot. Lowry’s success can often times be attributed to gumption, and IQ. He reads the game at a truly special level, and this hot shooting streak paired with that is dangerous.

Antetokounmpo had some very troubling comments re: his blackout. And he’s listed as questionable for the game. That being said, I expect him to play. Also, the Raptors will step foot in the Bucks new arena for the first time. When I got my first place, the first time people came over they tracked mud in and got it all over my carpet. Let’s hope that’s an allegory for the Raptors-Bucks game.

Tipoff: 8 pm ET

TV: TSN

Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

To help preview tonight’s game I contacted Andrew Goodman. He’s with the team over at BrewHoop.com and he was nice enough to chat with me about the Bucks-Raptors clash.

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Samson Folk: Hey Andrew, let’s pretend we started this dialogue like this. Sound good? Great. What can Antetokounmpo do to successfully attack the combination of Kawhi-OG-Siakam that he’s likely to be facing? Adversely, what can those three do to slow him down?

Andrew Goodman: I believe the best way for Giannis to attack the Raptors’ defense is actually to play through his teammates. In previous matchups, the Raptors have done a great job containing him but a lot of that fell on Kidd’s poor offensive system that involved ZERO spacing. With Budenholzer, Giannis has the luxury of more space on the floor, as each member of the starting 5 can knock down three’s. The Raptors are a team that Antetokounmpo has struggled against in the past, and the road could be tougher for him with Kawhi on board. The best way for Toronto to minimize Giannis’ impact is to make him into a distributor. He’s averaging a career-high 5.2 TO’s per game. Kawhi is awesome, and arguably one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. However, Pascal Siakam catches my eye for the Raps. He’s played excellent D on Giannis in the past, and his length and athleticism have really troubled the Greek Freak. I like JV’s physicality on defense, but he’s going to have to worry about guarding Brook Lopez on the perimeter. OG is a great athlete too, but I believe Toronto’s best chances at stopping Giannis are with Kawhi and Siakam.

Folk: Seems like we could send each other Siakam jerseys for Christmas, good to know. Jonas Valanciunas has been starting games in which he’s matched up with a more “traditional” center, Brook Lopez more or less fits the bill. With Lopez growing more prolific from downtown, and more than capable of scoring off the bounce, how do you expect that matchup to go?

Goodman: Valanciunas has KILLED Milwaukee in the past on both sides of the ball, but that could change with Budenholzer in town. Brook Lopez is shooting a white-hot 39% from three on 7 attempts per game. That will pull JV out of the paint and give the Bucks more room to operate offensively. I think this is a matchup the Bucks could actually exploit effectively on Monday night. Lopez has also proven that he can hold his own defensively against bigger, more physical centers. Also, Brook is exceptional at boxing out, so hopefully JV’s days of torturing the Bucks are over.

Folk: Yes! I’m a huge fan of the Lopez addition. Wrote about it here. With Middleton supercharging his efforts from behind the arc this year I think that he can finally grab an all-star spot this year. Do you think he’ll get the honor, and what is Middleton’s ceiling with the Bucks?

Goodman: I am the president of the Khris Middleton fan club. I thought he should’ve definitely been an All-Star last season, but oh well. Averages of 22.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3 assists per game while shooting 57.9% from three are certainly All-Star worthy. Watching him blossom as a player since he came over in a trade from Detroit has been a treat to watch. However, he’s also struggled mightily against Toronto in the past. Hopefully with DeRozan gone, that’ll change Middleton’s fortunes against the Raptors.

Folk: Even though RaptorsRepublic has the most prominent Middleton hater, in William Lou. I think most Raptors fans love Middleton’s game. Are there any players on the Raptors that pose significant matchup problems for the Bucks?

Goodman: I love what Danny Green brings to the table offensively, and defensively. I think he’s a guy that can really make a difference for the Raps tomorrow. He’s a prolific three-point shooter and an exceptional defender. Buckets for Middleton will not come easy, assuming Green is on him. I am a UCLA fan, so I’ve always been a big Norman Powell guy. He’s killed the Bucks before, and he’s a guy that’ll bring tremendous energy and effort whenever he steps on the floor. Can’t have a Raptors segment without mentioning Kyle Lowry. He is a freaking stud. Lowry has really elevated his game under Nick Nurse, and the Raptors have surrounded him with the right pieces so he can flourish. Although the departure of DeMar DeRozan was depressing, I’m sure you guys are loving the results of the trade.

Folk: The only downside of the Leonard-DeRozan trade is the oft-recycled “Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto Raptor” joke. I’ll take that one on the chin for the best team in franchise history, though. How do you feel about Antetokounmpo’s “black out” and the NBA’s concussion protocol?

Goodman: It was certainly scary seeing Giannis hit the hardwood and just lay there. Thankfully, he dodged a bullet and somehow avoided a concussion. I do think Aaron Gordon gave him a little cheap shot, though. Giannis came back into the game and showed no ill signs of his injury. However, he is questionable for tomorrow.

Folk: Who’s winning this thing?

Goodman: This game will certainly be close, but I like the Bucks to improve to 7-0 after Monday. I would not surprised to see this game go into OT. Regardless of the outcome, both of these teams have cemented themselves as elite teams in the East. I really enjoy what the Toronto Raptors are doing this season, enjoy the ride! Go Bucks 🙂

Folk: Thanks for the time Andrew, I expect most of the readers to agree with everything you say until “Bucks 7-0”. I understand you’re a busy man, so I’ll let you go. Take care, mate!

Goodman: Big Thanks to RR. Thank you for reaching out, man! Good luck.

You can find Andrew’s stuff over at BrewHoop or BruinsNation.

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Raptors Updates

OG Anunoby and Delon Wright are expected back for Monday’s game. I expect Anunoby to be fairly sharp, he’s a rock. Wright might have more trouble, and I’m not entirely sure where he is health-wise. The VanVleet situation from the playoffs is still fresh in my mind. As tough as it is to watch Lorenzo Brown as the de-facto backup point guard, I want our players looked after. VanVleet (turf-toe) is questionable for Monday’s game.

*edit* Neither Kawhi Leonard or OG Anunoby will play tonight.

Projected Rotation:

PG: Kyle Lowry, Delon Wright, Lorenzo Brown

SG: Danny Green, Norman Powell, Malachi Richardson

SF: Kawhi Leonard, OG Anunoby, CJ Miles

PF: Pascal Siakam, (Anunoby, Leonard, Miles)

C: Jonas Valanciunas, Serge Ibaka

TBD: Fred VanVleet

Bucks Updates

Antetokounmpo (head) remains questionable for Monday’s game. DJ Wilson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday’s game.

*edit* Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of tonights game.

Projected Rotation: