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The 12-15 Toronto Raptors will face a difficult task when they visit the Fiserv Forum to face the Milwaukee Bucks, the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Of course, the Bucks have been underwhelming compared to what we saw in last year's regular season, especially on defense, however, the Raptors will need to be on their A-game to handle them and two-time reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The game between these two rivals from the East should be highly entertaining and competitive. Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam are the Toronto Raptors' trio of best players. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have Giannis, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday (who is currently out due to health and safety protocols).
Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction: Combined starting 5
The Toronto Raptors are coming off consecutive losses to the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. They will now face the Milwaukee Bucks twice in a row on the road.
The Raptors hosted the Milwaukee Bucks on January 27th, and the visitors won 115-108 on the back of Antetokounmpo's 24 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists.
The Milwaukee Bucks are also on a losing streak (three consecutive losses) and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Bucks are coming off a six-game road trip that ended with three consecutive losses against Western Conference teams - the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Milwaukee's issue has been the defense. The Milwaukee Bucks ranked first last year in Defensive Rating with 102.9 points allowed per 100 possessions, but are 11th this season with 110.8.
Without further ado, let us put together a combined starting five featuring the best players from the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks.
Guard - Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
Kyle Lowry is the undisputed leader of the Toronto Raptors and the six-time All-Star remains a vital piece on Nick Nurse's team even at age 34 and in his 16th NBA season.
Lowry is performing at a solid level in the 2020-21 NBA campaign. He is averaging 17 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Moreover, he is putting up 45/38/87 shooting split, which is one of the best in his career.
Against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 27th, Lowry scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists in Toronto's loss.
Guard - Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors)
With Jrue Holiday out indefinitely due to health and safety protocols, Fred VanVleet earns a place in this combined lineup as the other guard. VanVleet has been tremendous in the 2020-21 NBA season and has had the best of his career so far.
VanVleet has had a solid year and is posting many career highs in several statistical departments. He is putting up career highs in points per game (19.9), rebounds per game (4.2), assists per game (6.6) and free-throw percentage (91%).
He had a bad outing against the Milwaukee Bucks in the previous matchup, as he went 3-17 from the field and scored just 10 points. He gave 10 assists, but the Toronto Raptors fell by seven points to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Forward - Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
Khris Middleton has been underrated the last few seasons, but he is a great weapon on the Milwaukee Bucks' offense. His contribution will be hugely important for the team's long-term success.
Middleton is the second-best scorer on the team and he is having an extraordinary season offensively. He is averaging 20.7 points per game and is on pace to have a 50/40/90 campaign.
Middleton has made 51% of his field goals, 44% of his three-point shots, and 90% of his free-throw attempts.
On January 27th, Middleton scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out seven assists in the win over the Toronto Raptors.
Forward - Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
If the Toronto Raptors are going to have any chance in the upcoming matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, they will need to stop the reigning two-time NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis is performing at a tremendous level once again. He is putting up 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists per game this year with a 56% efficiency from the field. Over the last eight games, he's also been effective from the free-throw line, shooting 77%.
He is coming off his fourth Triple-Double in the loss against the Thunder.
On January 27th, Antetokounmpo had a great performance against the Toronto Raptors, and put up 24 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists in 37 minutes in the Milwaukee Bucks' win.
Center - Chris Boucher (Toronto Raptors)
Chris Boucher has been great statistically for the Toronto Raptors in the 2020-21 NBA season. Boucher has a strong case for winning the Sixth Man of the Year award and the Most Improved Player award.
The 28-year old center is averaging 13.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and two blocks per game so far. His shooting efficiency has been great, as he is putting up a consistent 53/43/74 shooting split.
Moreover, he is the team leader in Player Efficiency Rating with a 23.5 score, which ranks 16th in the entire NBA, ahead of players like Jaylen Brown, Paul George, and James Harden.
Boucher scored just 10 points and grabbed three rebounds in the previous meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks and played just 13 minutes in the Toronto Raptors' loss.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: 3 teams that should target John Collins
