You could forgive Raptors fans for approaching Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks with trepidation. Even after a raucous Game 5 shellacking. Even though the Raptors are, on paper, the better, deeper team. We’re firmly in “prove it” mode here in Toronto because, well, the Raptors still need to prove some things. History dictates as such.
The beginning of this series saw Toronto fail. The “win Game 1 at home” edict we thought would inevitably fall didn’t happen. And while the bounce back in Game 2 was nice, the collapse in Game 3 was one of the more embarrassing moments in franchise history. Many doubted Toronto before, during, and after their Game 4 win. Belief was hard to come by, even as the Raptors began to gather their confidence and assert themselves.
Then, Game 5. That was a fun time wasn’t it? Are you ready to believe now?
Wellllll, not so fast.
The Raptors have been here before. Multiple times in fact. Last season they climbed to a 3-2 lead against the Heat before blowing Game 6 and trundling into one final contest like a child being dragged into detention. (Game 7 was a remarkable win for the Raps, with Kyle Lowry putting on a show, but still.) Just before that, the same thing happened! The Raptors almost dropped a Game 5 to the Pacers, used a stunning comeback to win, and followed up that momentous effort with... a lacklustre Game 6 in Indiana. Oof.
The quote from DeMarre Carroll was instructive. His take on Game 6 was succinct: “If we don’t understand it now, we’re never going to understand it."
Despite having to weather the furies of the almost supernaturally talented Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Raptors remain the better team. They have more tools in the shed, more all-around ability on the floor, they can go big, they can go small, and when the team’s players are all playing up to their potential, they are superior to the Bucks. These are just the facts. (Unless you think an “adjustment” of more Michael Beasley is a recipe for success.)
But that was true against Miami. It was true against the Pacers. And in some ways, if we look even further back, it was true against the Brooklyn Nets all those years ago. The Raptors have learned a lot since then, added veterans, grown together as a unit. They are heavily favoured now. When they say “we need to treat it like a Game 7,” it is easy to believe they mean it.
But now, the hard part: they’ve got to do it, and win.
Poll
Who wins Game 6?
This poll is closed
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81%
Raptors, this time we believe!
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18%
Bucks, we are all Charlie Brown