Raptors' Lowry bites back after slow start to down Bucks

Milwaukee is a solid 8-2 SU in its past 10 games at Bradley Center, and 9-3 SU in its past 12 games as a home favourite, and has also been a solid bet when favoured by two or fewer points on home hardwood, going 12-6 SU and 11-6-1 ATS in its past 18 games.

Toronto won three of the four meetings with the Bucks during the season and split two encounters in Milwaukee. The Bucks outscored the Raptors when Antetokounmpo was on the floor but were outscored when he was on the bench. Although he eventually hit some shots in the fourth quarter, he didn't have anywhere near the same impact he did in Game 1. As a result, they were much more equipped to handle double-teams on the perimeter, their spacing and defensive transition was much improved and their level of physicality was a non-issue, given how hard they played compared to Game 1.

For all the talk about how the Bucks have looked better since Parker was lost for the season and Khris Middleton returned to the lineup, a poor first half offensive showing from Giannis Antetokounmpo showed why this team is better with Parker.

It's a short turnaround for the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks as they pack up their bags and cross the border to continue their first round playoff series in a different venue only 2 days after the Raptors managed to take the second home game and tie up the match-up to 1-1.

Lowry scored just four points in Saturday's Game 1 loss, missing all six of his 3-point attempts. "First game, you don't know the environment or how it is and you go out there and play out of your mind. When I was driving the ball into the paint, everyone was sacking me".

"They were more physical", Antetokounmpo said. "I still have to make the right plays".

If Toronto wants to win this series, pulling out game two was basically a prerequisite.

To project a victor would be foolish because this series is a coin toss, the team that best imposes its mental and physical toughness likely to advance.

After winning Game 2, the Toronto Raptors aren't out of the woods yet. If the Raptors are going to avoid an upset, they will need to do that consistently. Although knowing Dwane Casey, he didn't allow any of his players to get too happy with themselves in the first place following Tuesday's series-tying victory at the Air Canada Centre. That can lead to players reducing Giannis' chance to drive by sagging off into the paint, tempting him to shoot from distance instead or pass off to a teammate. They had some leads, we came back.

"Once we get that figured out, I think we can take it up another couple notches".

"Towards the end of the second quarter (when Toronto led by eight with 1:35 to go) we kind of let them get back in, but we just have to try and build on leads". The Raptors want their ballhandlers to anticipate the traps before they come and get rid of the ball immediately. "Hopefully, we can throw the first punch and keep the lead and keep building on it". The Raptors will settle down, begin to impose their will on the Bucks, and pull out the Game 3 win. When it comes down to it though, the Raptors are simply better.