With Pascal Siakam back in the lineup after missing two games, it felt possible for the Raptors to put up a good fight against the Milwaukee Bucks. The two teams haven’t quite been direct rivals over the years — setting aside a playoff series or two — but Siakam has a part to play whenever Toronto takes on Giannis Antetokounmpo. That part felt even bigger on Wednesday night owing to the absence of OG Anunoby, the likely primary defender on Milwaukee’s MVP.
Much of last night’s game, however, was not decided by Siakam. Indeed, as the Raptors’ early lead gave way to the inevitable force of Giannis, Khris Middleton, and the rest of the Bucks, it felt like no one man would be able to counter the Bucks’ rolling onslaught.