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Toronto Raptors head coach Nick nurse announced to the media that he would tweak his lineup in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals after falling behind 0-2 to the Milwaukee Bucks. Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer was unintimidated by his counterpart's move, telling the media that the lineup change will have little to no effect on how his team plays.
Bud was asked if a team (like the Raps in this case) waiting until the last minute to reveal lineup changes has an impact: "Minimally if at all," says they have their guesses.
"Unless (Nurse is) taking Kawhi Leonard out of the starting lineup I think our guys will be prepared."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 19, 2019
These teams have played each other six times already this season when including regular season games. Both teams have already developed familiarity with one another. While the lineup change might lead to some different early matchups, Budenholzer is ultimately right.
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Regardless, Nurse has to do something to avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole. He knows that such a commanding lead will most likely be insurmountable. If changing the lineup even gives the Raptors a slight advantage, the team will take it.
Tonight's game is as close to a must-win that a non-elimination game can be for Toronto. The team had its eye on a Finals appearance as soon as they acquired star Kawhi Leonard, and they need to at least give the Bucks a fight if they want to convince the stoic forward to stay in Canada.
It will be interesting to see how Nurse alters the lineup. Obviously, Leonard and guard Kyle Lowry will start. It'd be a shock to see Pascal Siakam or Marc Gasol, even amid offensive struggles for both players, start on the bench. Could Danny Green be relegated to a bench role?
We'll find out come tipoff at 7:00 p.m. EST.
