The two superstars won't be contributing in this Eastern Conference matchup, so now it's up to the role players to determine the victor.
The Toronto Raptors are heading to Milwaukee Sunday afternoon to face the Bucks in their second game after the NBA All-Star break. After picking up a 110-101 win against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, Toronto is on the hunt to increase its chances of attaining home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
In order to do so, the Raptors have to continue doing what they have done well all season: beat the teams they are clearly better than. Anyone who has followed Toronto basketball this season knows how much the Raptors have struggled against the top teams in the NBA this season; after tonight’s game, they will play nine teams expected to make the playoffs in their next 13 games.
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic | © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Heading into Milwaukee, the Raptors should be the clear favorite based on the standings. Toronto is 8.5 games ahead of Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Standings, separating the fifth and 11th seeds. This Bucks team has simply not been the same as previous years, where they were considered title contenders for years on end.
With the injury report coming out for the game, the playing field may be slightly more even than some anticipated.
While 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo is still sidelined with a calf injury, he is joined by two-time All-Star Scottie Barnes, who is out due to a personal reason. Milwaukee’s forward Taurean Prince is also out after having neck surgery.
Barnes being officially ruled out may not be encouraging for fans, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise. He missed each of the Raptors’ last two practices since facing the Bulls in Chicago, and ultimately, the personal matter will continue to hold him out until at least Tuesday night, when they face the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It’s clear that the Bucks have begun to learn how to play without their undeniable superstar in recent weeks. After losing eight out of nine games through January, Milwaukee has won six of its last seven games, including a current three-game win-streak and a win against Oklahoma City.
The signing of Cam Thomas, who was waived by the Brooklyn Nets shortly after failing to find a suitor for him by the trade deadline, has proven to be especially beneficial in Antetokounmpo’s absence. Over his three games as a Buck, he is averaging 24.3 points on 56% shooting with two threes per game in a 3-0 stretch.