NBA Playoffs 2019: 3 Talking points from Milwaukee Bucks vs Toronto Raptors

Final Score: Toronto Raptors 118 - 112 Milwaukee Bucks

Staring a 0-3 hole, the Raptors hosted the Bucks in a double overtime thriller that the hosts eventually ended up winning. This was definitely the match of the series so far and the Raptors once again sailed home on the back of All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard.

This was a back-and-forth affair and went down to the wire with both the teams fighting hard for the win. Even though the Raptors walked into the tunnel with a 7-point lead at halftime, the Bucks would come back stronger in the second halftime and send this game into overtime.

The Raptors should have closed this game much earlier but missing some clutch shots meant they had to take a longer route to get to the finish line. Let us take a look at three talking points from the Raptors' Game 3 win at home.

#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo's rare off-night

Giannis Antetokounmpo failed to make his mark in Game 3

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the best player in the league this season and is the front runner for the MVP award. The Greek Freak carried the Bucks on his back to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 18 years as the Bucks have dismantled everyone in their way so far.

However, Game 3 was a rare off-night for Giannis as he failed to make his mark and scored just 12 points on a poor 5-for-16 shooting. With Kawhi guarding him, he struggled to make shots and fouled out in the opening minutes of the second overtime.

He also had 8 turnovers and just could not feel himself. With Giannis struggling badly, the other players should have risen to the occasion but that did not happen as Middleton and Bledsoe went 3-for-16 each.

#2 The Bucks' bench outscored the Raptors' bench 54-27

George Hill led the bench scoring with 24 points

George Hill had his breakout game this post-season and led the bench scoring with 24 points as the Bucks' bench ended up outscoring the Raptors' bench 54-27. Supporting Hill off the bench was Malcolm Brogdon, who had 20 points on an efficient 8-for-17 shooting.

The two made some key plays down the stretch and kept the Bucks in the game with Giannis, Middleton and Bledsoe struggling to get it going. This is definitely a positive sign for the Bucks as the bench unit has shown that they can perform in clutch situations which will allow the starters to catch a breath.

In contrast, the Raptors bench continue to struggle. While Powell was impressive scoring 19 points, VanVleet and Ibaka combined for just 8 points on 3-for-20 shooting. VanVleet has not scored in double-digits since his 14-point performance in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs against the Orlando Magic.

#1 Kawhi Leonard's clutch performance

Kawhi Leonard's heroics lifted the Raptors over the Bucks in double overtime

Kawhi Leonard has been a man on a mission and the Raptors have depended on him for the most part of the season, including the playoffs. He has been the only constant performer for the team and are in the hunt only because of Kawhi.

After his 31-point performance in the loss against the Bucks on the road, Leonard was once again the Raptors' star performer as he ended up with his fourth straight 30+ point game. After Pascal Siakam failed to ice the game and missed both his clutch free-throws in the closing seconds of regulation, Kawhi Leonard took over in the overtime.

With 1:26 remaining in the first overtime, Kawhi's pull up jumper put the Raptors up by 4. However, with an opportunity to close out the game, Kawhi missed a tough fade away jumper and the game went into double overtime.

In the double overtime, it was once again Kawhi who brought the intensity on both ends of the floor. With 3:13 remaining in the double OT, Kawhi erupted for a left-handed dunk and extended the Raptors' lead to 3. He also had a clutch steal and eventually helped the Raptors get the much needed win.