It was pretty clear that the Raptors needed something of a boost if they were to avoid another disappointing loss in game 2. University of Utah alums Delon Wright and rookie Jakob Poeltl turned out to be small sparks in a tight win. The Milwaukee Bucks played close through the whole game, and probably will throughout this series. The roles of Poeltl and Wright are sure to expand following their positive impact on the game.
The Rookie Shines
While both players’ great play was a little surprising, Poeltl’s solid defense is what caught me off guard. Throughout the year, he’s had a habit of having incredible positioning and always being in the right spot, but this was his first meaningful minutes in the playoffs.