The Toronto Raptors have been inconsistent through three games of their first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd appears to be winning the matchup battles in the early going with his team outscoring the Raptors 302-266 in the series.
Sportsnet Hostove host Dan Riccio was joined by Donnovan Bennett and Gary Melo on Saturday and they discussed lineup changes that could benefit the Raptors as they try to even the series in Game 4.
“Norman Powell, who was plus-three and one of the only players with a positive rating, scoring 12 points off the bench, he needs to play,” Bennett said on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “He’s athletic, gives a bit of balance offensively and he can still defend.”
Powell played just 14 minutes in Game 3 and shot 4-of-8 from the floor. He averaged 18 minutes per game in the regular season but played more than 25 minutes on 21 occasions.
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In addition to Powell, the Raptors’ young point guard Delon Wright has proven he is capable of taking on a more critical role.
“Delon Wright has been the only consistent thing throughout the series other than maybe Serge Ibaka,” Bennett added. “He actually moves the ball and makes himself available when guys are trapped.”
Game 4 of the Raptors and Bucks series tips off at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sportsnet One.
Listen to the entire conversation on how the Raptors should handle their lineup here:
