NBA Playoffs 2019: 3 Talking points from Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks - Game 5

The Milwaukee Bucks, reeling from two successive defeats, returned home to the Fiserv Forum attempting to regain their lead over the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, inspired displays from Kawhi Leonard and Fred VanVleet sank the Bucks, condemning them to a third straight defeat and taking the Raptors to within 1 game of a historic berth in the NBA Finals.

Game 5 was characterised by massive momentum swings, with both teams embarking on huge runs to try and take control of proceedings.

The Bucks began with an 18-4 run before the Raptors hit back late in the first and early in the second with an 18-2 run of their own.

The Bucks, led by Khris Middleton, blitzed the visitors early in the third, securing a 12-point lead on the back of a 14-2 run. However, the Raptors refused to throw in the towel and hit back again, Leonard and VanVleet combining well to carry them on a 9-0 run at the end of the third and a 10-0 run early in the fourth to take control of the game.

While the Bucks did rally yet again, tying the game with under 3 minutes to play, the Raptors managed to stifle Giannis and execute down the stretch to sneak an all-important 105-99 victory.

Here are three talking points from the Raptors' monumental road win:

#1 Budenholzer's questionable decisions; Raptors bench comes to the party

After seeing his side's 2-0 lead evaporate, Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer opted to tinker with his starting lineup, introducing Malcolm Brogdon in place of Nikola Mirotic.

While the tactic seemed to have worked in the opening quarter, it cost the Bucks big time down the stretch, with their bench production taking a massive hit.

Mirotic failed to score a single point coming off the bench, while the rest of the reserve unit managed just 15 points in total, with George Hill laying claim to 12 of those. On the other hand, the Raptors bench, led by Fred VanVleet's career-high 7 three pointers, poured in 35 points.

However, that's not the only decision that came under scrutiny. Budenholzer also opted to take Giannis Antentokounmpo out of the game with a little over a minute left. On the Raptors' subsequent possession, Marc Gasol secured an offensive rebound off a Kawhi Leonard missed jumper that effectively sealed the game.

Fred VanVleet is the first player in @Raptors franchise history to make seven or more three-pointers off the bench in a #NBAPlayoffs game. The last NBA player to do so was Channing Frye (7 threes) for Cleveland in 2016. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/Uphdr4I7WT

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 24, 2019

#2 Kawhi Leonard, Fred VanVleet torch Bucks from downtown

VanVleet shot lights out in Game 5

Fred VanVleet's display tonight showed the importance of trusting one's abilities and drowning out the critics.

VanVleet entered the series against the Bucks on the back of a horror shooting display against the 76ers. He had gone 1-14 from beyond the arc against Philadelphia and many had begun to question the minutes he was receiving.

Things went from bad to worse for VanVleet during the first three games of the Conference Finals where he shot just 2 of 11 from three-point land.

However, he's stuck to his guns and it's finally paying off. VanVleet was perfect from downtown in Game 4 and he absolutely torched the Bucks in Game 5, shooting a mindblowing 78% from beyond the arc.

VanVleet made 7 of his 9 attempts from 3 and along with Kawhi Leonard, who shot 5-of-8 from downtown himself, put the Bucks to the sword down the stretch.

#3 Raptors end incredible Milwaukee streak; inch one step closer to historic NBA Finals

Toronto Raptors v Milwaukee Bucks - Game Five

The Milwaukee Bucks were 33-0 at home in games they had secured a first-quarter lead this season. However, that incredible run officially came to an end tonight at the hands of Kawhi Leonard and his Raptors.

The Bucks started the game strongly and led by as many as 14 points in the opening period. While the Raptors did manage to eat into that lead, the Bucks still ended the first quarter with a 10-point lead on the back of strong displays from their starters.

However, the visitors were quick off the blocks in the second period, embarking on a 16-2 run to wipe away all evidence of the Bucks' early onslaught.

While the game was characterised by huge runs and momentum swings, the Raptors were the ones to end on a stronger note, with Kawhi taking over down the stretch.

Having eked out a 6-point victory, the Raptors are now just one 1 win away from a berth in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Not bad for a side that initially feared the worst after dropping Game 1 of their first round playoff series against the Orlando Magic.