There are quick excuses to bring to bear here. The Raptors lost tonight to the Bucks, 108-97, while missing their starting centre Marc Gasol and sixth man Norman Powell. Milwaukee, too, could claim disadvantage, citing their appearance here in Toronto on the second night of a back-to-back. Both squad’s reasons played out in the game — neither shot particularly well, both had posessions and turnovers they’d probably like back, and a few players were not their typical selves.
But for the Raptors, the real and much bigger reason tonight’s game against the Bucks didn’t go their way (and may not in the playoffs, if a future matchup between these two teams comes to pass) is both simpler than that — and impossible to explain away.