Raptors work toward limiting Antetokounmpo

MILWAUKEE

The Toronto Raptors showed Giannis Antetokounmpo the proper respect in Game 2 and were rewarded with a much-needed win. In Game 3, the 22-year-old Greek Freak was in line for even more of their attention.

“I just think we keep amping it up,” P.J. Tucker said of the team’s focus on Antetokounmpo.

The feeling around the Raptors — based both on past experience and what they have seen from the opponent in the series — is the Bucks would only be more aggressive and determined in Game 3 on their home court than they were in games 1 and 2.

As the centrepiece of their entire game plan, the Greek Freak will be the one setting the tone. For that reason, Tucker said the Raptors had to take another step in Milwaukee.

“I’m not satisfied at all,” Tucker said after a morning shootaround. “We can still get a lot better. We loaded really well, we cut down on the transitions points, but we still gave him angles to get to the basket and make great plays, so as a unit, we got to guard him a little better.”

Antetokounmpo’s line in Game 2 read like a man who led his team to victory, having played 42 minutes and had 24 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. But his scoring was down from Game 1, and it was enough to get the Raptors a win.

Neither Tucker nor anyone else in a Raptors uniform expects to fully shut the Bucks’ main man down.

“He’s going to score because he’s so good at getting to the rim and getting fouled. You just want him to take some of the shots that you want him to take. Some of his longer shots he’s going to take. Even though you are going under (screens) and playing off of him, he’s still going to get to the rim. He’s so long and athletic, but you just want him to take some tough shots.”