As Giannis Antetokounmpo worked from the right block with 4 minutes, 45 seconds remaining and the Bucks down three, he saw the same thing he had seen the entire game: a second Raptors player coming to double-team him in the post.
This time, it was Fred VanVleet.
The Raptors guard raced across the floor from the left wing, where he had left Pat Connaughton (20 points) wide open. The Raptors’ double-team did not come from the same side of the floor because Khris Middleton occupied the closest spot and the Raptors were not about to leave him open one pass away from Antetokounmpo. Staying connected to Middleton (11 points, seven rebounds) was a major part of Raptors coach Nick Nurse’s game plan, after all.
When VanVleet made his break, Antetokounmpo spun to the baseline and attempted a fadeaway jumper over the outstretched arms of OG Anunoby. It missed off the front of the rim and into Anunoby’s waiting arms, who quickly swung it to Pascal…
