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After starting the Eastern Conference Finals down two games to none against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors managed to win three straight games and are now ahead of the series. They are one victory away from advancing to the NBA Finals, and for former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, the series is over in favor of the Raps come Game 6 on Saturday.
Perkins was recently a guest of ESPN's The Jump where he discussed the Bucks-Raptors series with another former NBA player Richard Jefferson. The one-time champion believes that with Toronto winning Game 5, they have officially sucked the life out of Milwaukee.
Perkins made some good points here. The Raptors clearly have more players with experience in the playoffs. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green have won a championship during their playing days for the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, Serge Ibaka, Kyle Lowry, and Marc Gasol have all been a part of grueling conference finals series in the past. So it is understandable that they know how to turn a series around, especially since they're going up against an inexperienced team like the Bucks.
But Jefferson hasn't given up on Milwaukee just yet, and rightfully so. The Bucks have the best record in the league this season, and they are led by a perennial MVP candidate in Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, if they want to force Game 7 on Monday, the Greek Freak will need his teammates to step up. Khris Middleton will need to produce All-Star numbers. Eric Bledsoe will need to do a better job on defense, especially since he made the All-Defensive team selection. Lastly, Brook Lopez, Nikola Mirotic, Malcolm Brogdon, and Ersan Ilyasova will need to hit wide open shots.
If the Bucks fail to do that, the series is likely over tomorrow night.
