Raptors vs. Bucks Game 1: Who wins the East?

The Eastern Conference Finals are underway, as the Milwaukee Bucks host the Toronto Raptors for Game 1 on Wednesday night. The contest tips off at 5:30 p.m. PT on TNT.

It’s a fascinating series between two teams who absolutely deserve to be there. Milwaukee finished the year with the best record and net rating in the league. Toronto wasn’t far behind, with the second-best record and third-best net rating.

Long story short: These teams are exceptionally good, and both are deserving of a spot in the NBA Finals, and a likely showdown with the Golden State Warriors. Of course, only one team can win, however.

If you like star matchups, this one’s for you. The Bucks are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player unlike any we’ve ever seen, and the likely recipient of this year’s MVP award.

The Raptors are led by Kawhi Leonard, who, after taking a while to fully recover from an injury that cost him most of the 2017-18 season, is playing on the highest of levels. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP is looking unstoppable on both ends of the court, and, oh by the way, he just hit one of the greatest shots in NBA history.

There’s a pretty strong case to be made that Antetokounmpo and Leonard have been the two best players in this year’s playoffs. So this is must-see basketball.

But there are also far more stars than those two. Kyle Lowry and Khris Middleton were All-Stars this year, and Pascal Siakam and Eric Bledsoe both had strong cases. Marc Gasol is still stellar, and coaches Mike Budenholzer and Nick Nurse are tremendous.

If you like good basketball, tune in.