The Toronto Raptors have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they'll square off against the Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Most analysts are expecting a physical series, and Raptors head coach Nick Nurse says his guys will be ready for it.
In an interview with William Lou of Yahoo Sports Canada, Nurse pointed out how Antetokounmpo likes to use his strength and size in games to make his way to the hoop. Knowing this, Nurse says his players will try to draw as many charges on the Greek Freak as possible:
“He's constantly running people over,” Nurse said of Antetokounmpo. “We have some guys who take charges, and there will be charges to take.”
It sounds like a good plan, but Nurse and the Raptors will have their hands full trying to contain the player who many experts view as this season's MVP.
Though he's young, Antetokounmpo is emerging as a superstar in the NBA ranks. The former 15th overall pick made 72 appearances with the Bucks during the 2018-19 regular season (all starts), racking up averages of 27.7 points on 57.8 percent shooting from the field (25.6 percent from beyond the arc), 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals in 32.8 minutes per game.
If the Raptors can contain Giannis' driving mentality, as Nurse hopes, they'll have a shot at playing in the Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The Raptors and Bucks will meet for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night. Tip-off inside the Fiserv Forum is set for 8:30 p.m. ET, with TNT having live broadcast coverage.
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