They took slightly different paths, but the East's top two teams are now set to meet in the Conference Finals as many expected all season. It's the first time these two franchises will meet in the postseason since 2017. With both the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks taking care of business in the second round of the playoffs, the Eastern Conference Finals is now set. NBA.com is your destination for complete coverage of every series from now through the end of the NBA Finals. Series Schedule Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals will take place in Milwaukee at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. Game 1 - Wednesday, May 15 at Milwaukee, Time: 8:30 p.m.; TV: SN1/E/O/W/P Game 2 - Friday, May 17 at Milwaukee, Time: 8:30 p.m.; TV: TSN Network Game 3 - Sunday, May 19 at Toronto, Time: 7:00 p.m.; TV: SN1/E/O/W/P Game 4 - Tuesday, May 21 at Toronto, Time: 8:30 p.m.; TV: TSN Network Game 5 (if necessary) - Thursday, May 23 at Milwaukee, Time: 8:30 p.m.; TV: TSN Network Game 6 (if necessary) - Saturday, May 25 at Toronto, Time: 8:30 p.m.; TV: SN1/E/O/W/P Game 7 (if necessary) - Monday, May 27 at Milwaukee, Time: 8:30 p.m.; TV: TSN Network Recapping the Season Series Result: Bucks won 3-1 Best game: Jan. 5, 2019 - Raptors 123, Bucks 116 Best performance: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Jan. 5, 2019) - 43 points (16-25 FG), 18 rebounds, four assists and one steal The first meeting between the Raptors and Bucks this season came early when both teams were a perfect 6-0. Giannis Antetokounmpo (concussion) and Kawhi Leonard (rest) missed the game, and Milwaukee cruised to a 124-109 win behind a balanced effort that saw seven players score in double figures. Serge Ibaka led the Raptors in scoring that night with 30 points and Pascal Siakam chipped in with 22 points. The second meeting was much closer but the end result was the same. Behind a 19-point, 19-rebound double-double from Antetokounmpo, the Bucks defeated the Raptors in Toronto, 104-99. Kyle Lowry struggled in the loss, going scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting from the field. The Raptors picked up their lone win against the Bucks on Jan. 5 in what turned out to be the best game between the two teams this season. Leonard and Siakam led the Raptors in scoring with 30 points each, but they got a scoring punch out of Ibaka (25), Danny Green (12) and Fred VanVleet (21), the latter of whom started in place of Lowry, who was dealing with a back injury. The five of them helped Toronto overcome 43 points, 18 rebounds and four assists from Antetokounmpo to beat the Bucks, 123-116. The Bucks got some revenge in the final game of the season, winning by a final score of 105-92 at the Scotiabank Arena. It was a team effort once again, as seven players scored in double figures, including D.J. Wilson (16) and George Hill (10) off the bench. Key Storyline: Can the Raptors contain Giannis Antetokounmpo? The Raptors will have their hands full trying to slow down Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 27.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in these playoffs. The Bucks have built a team around Antetokounmpo that plays perfectly to his strengths, surrounding him with shooters to give him the space he needs to attack the paint, where he led the league in scoring this season. Antetokounmpo is a matchup nightmare for every team because he's too big and strong for perimeter players to guard and too quick and athletic for big men to stay in front of. Double-teaming him is risky as well. Not only is Antetokounmpo a capable passer, the Bucks made and attempted the second-most 3-pointers in the league this season, trailing only the Houston Rockets. Every player on Milwaukee's roster is comfortable shooting 3-pointers, even Brook Lopez, who set the record for 3s made by a centre during the regular season. So who on the Raptors will take on the responsibility of defending Antetokounmpo? According to NBA.com, Siakam matched up with the MVP candidate the most this season, followed by Leonard, Ibaka and OG Anunoby. Here's what Antetokounmpo did in each of those matchups: Raptors vs. Antetokounmpo Defender Games Possessions Points FGM-FGA Assists Turnovers Siakam 3 93 41 15-27 5 5 Leonard 3 31 4 2-3 3 0 Ibaka 3 26 14 6-9 0 2 Anunoby 3 24 13 4-5 3 1 This is another series where the Raptors will miss Anunoby if he's unable to play. While he wouldn't be the primary defender on Antetokounmpo, Toronto would benefit greatly from having another wing who can match up with him physically, especially now that Siakam is dealing with an injury. According to Blake Murphy of The Athletic, Anunoby is now travelling with the Raptors for the first time since undergoing an emergency appendectomy, but there's still no update on when he is expected to return. Three Players to Watch Kawhi Leonard vs. Milwaukee in 2018-19 (three games): 22.0 points (42.6 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 81.0 FT%), 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists The Bucks did a better job defending Leonard this season than most teams, limiting him to 22.0 points per game on 42.6 percent shooting from the field. Leonard was fantastic in Toronto's lone win with a team-high 30 points, but he scored a total of 36 points in the two other contests he appeared in. Khris Middleton was the primary reason Leonard didn't play to his usual standard. According to NBA.com, he limited the three-time All-Star to 36 points on 11-for-27 shooting from the field over three games. Aaron Gordon has similar success against Leonard based on the matchup data, but Leonard torched both him and the Magic in the first round to the tune of 27.8 points per game. Will Leonard be able to do the same against a Bucks team that had the best defensive rating in the league this season? Khris Middleton vs. Toronto in 2018-19 (three games): 14.0 points (47.6 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 63.6 FT%), 6.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds<doc-sep>Raptors vs. Bucks: Schedule, time, TV channel Date Matchup Time (TV channel) May 15 Game 1 at Milwaukee 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT/fuboTV) May 17 Game 2 at Milwaukee 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT/fuboTV) May 19 Game 3 at Toronto 7 p.m. ET (TNT/fuboTV) May 21 Game 4 at Toronto 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT/fuboTV) May 23* Game 5 at Milwaukee 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT/fuboTV) May 25* Game 6 at Toronto 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT/fuboTV) May 27* Game 7 at Milwaukee 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT/fuboTV) (*if necessary) MORE: Watch Bucks vs. Raptors live with fuboTV (7-day free trial) Raptors vs. Bucks: The backstory I covered the 2001 playoffs, the last time the Bucks made the conference finals, and the notion of these two teams facing off brings a tear to my eye. I can still remember Vince Carter’s potential game-winning 20-footer bouncing awry in Game 7 of the East semis against Philadelphia, giving the series to the Sixers and leaving the Raptors fans in a stunned playoff silence that has pretty much lasted two decades now. Toronto made one hopeful trip back to the conference finals, in 2016, and gave one of their best postseason fights, losing to Cleveland in six games rather than the usual four. Milwaukee has not been to the conference finals since that 2001 trip, which was sullied by accusations that the NBA refs had tilted the games toward Allen Iverson and the Sixers, their East Coast numbers believed to be better for ratings. Regardless, these are two teams, guided by new coaches — rookie Nick Nurse for Toronto and likely Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer for the Bucks — without much recent history of success in the NBA playoffs. But one of these teams will be in the NBA Finals and likely face a shaky Western Conference foe. For both, it has been a long time — for Toronto, in fact, a Finals trip has never happened, and for the Bucks, the wait stretches back to 1974. However this series turns, the NBA will get something refreshing out of the deal: A Finals participant that has not had a spot in the league’s biggest showcase in 45 years. Or ever, for that matter. LIVE: Today's NBA scores, updates, TV schedule Raptors vs. Bucks: The key players Sure, it will be star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo getting the marquee attention for this one. But it will be their first mates — each of whom guards the opposing team’s star — who determine how this series will go. For Milwaukee, that means Khris Middleton, who is rolling through another impressive postseason. He is averaging 19.1 points and shooting 46.7 percent on 3-pointers, while also posting 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He was a defensive ace in the series against Boston, the primary defender on two of the Celtics who struggled badly, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward. Middleton had success defending Leonard in the regular season. In three matchups against Leonard, Middleton faced him an average of 47.7 possessions, allowing only 12.0 points on 40.7 percent shooting from the field. Middleton will have help, of course, but he will get the primary draw on Leonard, and he’s got a good track record in a limited number of games. On the other side, it will be Pascal Siakam, who has been a consistent secondary weapon for Toronto as veterans Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol have struggled. Siakam has averaged more than 20 points per game in the playoffs, and the Raptors will need that consistent scoring against Milwaukee. But Siakam will also get the prime matchup against Antetokounmpo, who dominated the Raptors in the three games he faced them this season. Antetokounmpo averaged 27.0 points, 15.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists against Toronto, shooting 58.5 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from the 3-point line. Siakam was not the only defender on him, but he had his hands full — Antetokounmpo shot 64.7 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the 3-point line when guarded by Siakam in those three games. (Getty Images) https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/50/36/khris-middleton-getty-112118-ftrjpg_1okjnd8uz10tc1v4w7zt0ppkay.jpg?t=922074095&w=500&quality=80 Raptors vs. Bucks: The big number 4.5. It’s easy to overlook the Bucks’ bench when you’ve got Antetokounmpo on the roster, but Milwaukee’s reserves have played 19.1 minutes in the playoffs, fourth-most among the 16 teams, and have been a plus-4.5 through nine games. While Antetokounmpo’s preparedness to lead a team to a championship was a question leading into the playoffs, whether the Bucks’ supporting cast was up to that task was also a question. Thus far, they’ve proven their muster. That was evident in the crucial Game 4 win in Boston, when Antetokounmpo went out with foul trouble in a tied game with 8:18 left in the third quarter. The Bucks responded with a 19-9 run, mostly led by George Hill and Pat Connaughton. Toronto’s bench has been subpar in the playoffs. The reserves could give the Bucks a big advantage. Raptors vs. Bucks: Xs and Os After the Celtics’ Kyrie Irving laid 26 points (12-for-21 shooting) on the Bucks in the conference semifinal opener, Budenholzer did something rare for him — he made a defensive adjustment by having his team switch off screens, even if it left Irving with a mismatch. The Bucks provided enough help in the paint to keep Irving honest, and for the rest of the series, he struggled badly, going 25-for-83 from the field in Games 2-5. Leonard presents a different problem than Irving because you need to do more than just keep him away from the rim. He is capable of finishing at the basket, but he can also hit jumpers from 10-16 feet and 16 feet out to the 3-point line. Clogging the paint won’t be enough against Leonard. Middleton has had success defending him, but Leonard has been a different player in this postseason. Budenholzer might go back to not switching defensively, but you have to wonder whether he will also call for double-team help on Leonard if he starts figuring out Middleton’s approach. NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS: Trail Blazers vs. Warriors Raptors vs. Bucks: The prediction<doc-sep>With this year’s Eastern Conference Finals finally set, we look back at the Milwaukee Bucks’ history with the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs and reflect on what has changed for both franchises in the time since. After a few days of waiting as well as resting and recuperating, the Milwaukee Bucks now know that in order to book their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1974, they must go through the Toronto Raptors. Thanks to superstar Kawhi Leonard sinking an all-time game winning shot, the Raptors sunk the Phaildelphia 76ers with their 92-90 Game 7 victory Sunday night to advance to their second Eastern Conference Finals in franchise history. With that, the Bucks and the Raptors are set to reheat their playoff rivalry with one another, only this time coming with greater stakes than their previous postseason clash. Of course, the one and only series that the Bucks and the Raptors have shared together is arguably still fresh in the minds of both fanbases as it was only a little more than two years ago. It was Toronto who ended up prevailing, but not after a hard fought six-game first round series that was capped off by an unforgettable second half comeback from the Bucks that ended up short of crossing the finish line in hopes of extending it to a Game 7. As it turns out, the Raptors’ own playoff run would end in humiliation a round later as their rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who they met in the East Conference Finals the previous year, ended in a four-game sweep that was determined by a 62-point differential. It may only be two seasons since both teams last met in the playoffs, but the roster composition and overall makeup for the Bucks, as well as the Raptors, couldn’t be more different, save for key exceptions. While the Bucks of two years ago don’t bear a passing resemblance to their 60-win selves from this year, the one omission in that is their superstar and leading MVP candidate in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The then-22-year-old’s All-Star breakout season continued into the playoffs where he averaged 24 points on .536/.400/.543 shooting splits, 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 steals for the series and his herculean 46-and-a-half minute performance in Game 6 provided a defining image of how dependent the squad’s success was on its young star. What informed that was the key injuries the Bucks endured through that year. Jabari Parker was lost to a torn ACL for the second time in three years and while he made his return from a torn hamstring tear near the beginning of February, Khris Middleton was notably less than 100 percent throughout the series after having dealt with a severe strep throat, as ESPN’s Zach Lowe detailed in his profile on the All-Star swingman earlier this year. Now only four players from that series are still on the Bucks’ roster heading into the Conference Finals between Antetokounmpo and Middleton as well as the returning Malcolm Brogdon and reserve wing Tony Snell. And obviously the biggest difference comes on the bench as it’s been Mike Budenholzer who has been able to unlock the potential of a perennially promising Bucks team in numerous ways that his predecessor, Jason Kidd, simply could not. The Raptors, on the other hand, have undergone a radical transformation in hopes of advancing to the Finals for the first time in franchise history and shedding their storied playoff shortcomings in the process. And that obviously starts with the blockbuster acquisition of Leonard from last summer, who was acquired, along with Danny Green, in exchange for their franchise scoring leader in DeMar DeRozan. As if his game winner last night wasn’t proof, Leonard’s stewardship of the Raptors gives them a superstar cache and a proven playoff difference maker that DeRozan struggled to provide year after year after year. The constant for the Raptors has been their long-standing veteran point guard, Kyle Lowry. The 33-year-old’s own erratic postseason play historically hasn’t been lost on anyone as its extended into this year’s playoff run and neither is his durability at this point in the season. Along with Lowry, the three remaining holdovers from Toronto’s roster back in their previous playoff duel with the Bucks to this year is Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell and Fred Van Vleet (Most Improved Player candidate Pascal Siakam didn’t play a single second in the 2017 series against Milwaukee). Like the Bucks, the Raptors also made a high-profile coaching change following last season as they replaced 2018 NBA Coach of the Year Dwane Casey in favor for first-year head coach Nick Nurse, who has gone on to helm Toronto to a 58-24 record this season. It also should be noted that the Raptors reportedly chased Budenholzer before he ended up coming to Milwaukee almost exactly a year ago. In many ways, the Bucks and the Raptors are more similar than they are different, and that goes beyond the fact they were separated by two wins from each other. They both have undergone major changes, both in terms of their roster construction as well as the staffs that are tasked with putting the pieces together, all in the name of chasing lasting success in either quite some time or none at all. Sure, Milwaukee’s sudden rise from first round knockout to title contenders may still spark doubts from those who place a premium on previous playoff experience. Meanwhile, the Raptors’ season-long overhaul, which included acquiring veteran big man Marc Gasol, has led to questions regarding their cohesion and consistency that simply hasn’t been a pressing question for the Bucks this year. It’s incredibly fitting for the East to be decided between the two teams that have lapped the competition throughout the conference. Now all that is left is for both teams to rely on the blueprint that has gotten them here to determine who advances to the Finals in what is sure to be an entertaining, thrilling next chapter in this playoff rivalry.<doc-sep>Ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals, Toronto's All-Star forward spoke with the media on a wide range of topics, including the challenges presented by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. It's a quick turnaround for the Toronto Raptors, who have just two days to prepare for their Eastern Conference Finals series with the top-seeded Bucks after earning a thrilling Game 7 victory over the 76ers Sunday night. Series Preview: Raptors vs. Bucks Kawhi Leonard, who knocked down the walk-off game-winner to send the Raptors to the next round, spoke with the media following the team's practice and ahead of their trip to Milwaukee. The eight-year veteran and one-time champ knows a thing or two about postseason success and was asked about a wide range of topics including moving past the emotions of Sunday night, the matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as well as some keys to the Raptors advancing past the Eastern Conference Finals. MORE: Is Kawhi or Giannis the best in the East? Here's a recap on some of what Leonard had to say… On whether or not it's difficult to get past the emotions of winning Game 7 in dramatic fashion: "Not really… when you have your mind focused on one thing and that's winning the game, then it's just time to shift over from there. That's why you've got to stay even-keeled in this league; you don't get too low or too high until it's all done. That's what I try to pride myself on - just staying levelheaded going into the next game." On what makes Milwaukee a good team: "[They're] just very active. They play together on both ends, long team, coached well and they want to play defence. That's what you want out of players and they're out there doing it. On opening this series on the road: "I think you just gotta go out like it's another road game like Game 3 or 4 (in the first two rounds). These first two games are on the road so we just have to go out there and play basketball…" On Toronto's keys to the series: "Come in, be focused, make sure we know our game plan. Show length, compete every possession and try to limit them to one shot." On his matchup with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo: "It's not about us going head to head it's about us trying to win a game. You can't get caught up in people's expectations, you've got to worry about yourself, self-expectations and team expectations and that's winning. That's what we have to focus on, it doesn't matter about a one-on-one matchup. This game isn't a one-on-one basketball game. On the specific challenges Milwaukee's defence presents: "They help each other well. I feel like they're a good defensive team in helping, showing length, showing bodies on whoever gets to the paint. That's what helps them - they're on the same page… Just try to go into the game, play our game and be aggressive and see what the challenges are and see what their gameplan is and go from there." On whether or not facing Orlando's defence in Round 1 will help him against Milwaukee: "Every experience helps you. Each game you go into - regular season, playoffs. It's different personnel so it's different tendencies of how they help. Are they a strip guy, block shot guy or a charge guy. Those are things you've got to take [into account] when you're playing a new team or a new system." On how his expectations for the team have evolved this season: "They were a good team last year, so with the addition of me and Danny coming over, I feel like they didn't take a step back and the sky was the limit. As the season went on, I started seeing how guys roles were, what guys liked to do on the floor and how it was contributing to wins, and just went from there. I really didn't think about [expectations], I know that we all had a goal to get to The Finals and win it and that's what we did - take it game-by-game and day-by-day." On the keys for Toronto to continue its playoff run: "Everybody being on the same page. Being locked in, everybody wanting to win. Everybody playing with each other on both ends of the floor and like I said, just not getting so up or down on yourself, you gotta stay even-keeled because the game isn't going to go how you want it to go, at all. So you've just got to be ready for the moments when there are highs and lows. And just working hard - keep competing, possession after possession.<doc-sep>
The Eastern Conference Finals is set with a matchup between the conference's top two teams all season. What will be the biggest factors in determining which team comes out on top? Our NBA.com experts weigh in on what to watch for in this series. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 to advance to their second Eastern Conference Finals in franchise history. The Milwaukee Bucks, who defeated the Boston Celtics in five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, have been ready for their opponent for a few days now. In a battle between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference all season long, our NBA.com experts take a look at one thing to keep an eye on in this series. Kyle Irving (@KyleIrv_): Can the Bucks bench keep the same level of production? Part of the reason the Bucks made quick and easy work of the Celtics was because of the production from their bench: Milwaukee's second unit outscored the Boston's in four of the five games in the series. George Hill's incredible play led the way; he posted 14.2 points per game on 59.6 percent shooting from the field and 47.4 percent from long range for the series, outplaying Kyrie Irving. He single-handedly outscored Boston's bench in Games 3 and 4, and with Malcolm Brogdon out for the majority of that series, he stepped up in a big way to help his team advance to the Conference Finals. Pat Connaughton found a way to make an impact in every game, too. Whether it was 3-point shooting, rebounding or just straight up out-hustling guys, Connaughton made his presence felt and his minutes count in every game. With the return of Brogdon, that Bucks bench grows even deeper. Toronto's second unit had its glaring struggles in the series against the 76ers but was able to overcome it with a couple of solid games from Serge Ibaka, among others. If Milwaukee's bench keeps the same production, Toronto's bench will have to step up. It could otherwise be the deciding factor in the series. Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles): I'm looking forward to seeing how Khris Middleton matches up with Kawhi Leonard. According to NBA.com, Middleton defended Leonard more than any other defender in the league this season. He limited Leonard to 36 points when they were matched up together, holding him to 11-for-27 shooting from the field (40.7 percent) over three games. The matchup data isn't perfect, but the video backs some of those numbers up. Middleton is a smart defender when he's locked in and he matches up well enough physically with Leonard to keep up with him. It helps that Middleton has Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo behind him, both of whom were among the best rim protectors in the league this season. Will Middleton have similar success in this series? If he does, it would go a long way in slowing the Raptors down because it would prevent the Bucks from having to double team him as aggressively as the 76ers did in the previous round. Gilbert McGregor (@GMcGregor21): Can Serge Ibaka replicate his regular-season success against Milwaukee? Ibaka did some of his best work in the regular season against the Bucks, averaging 22.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 blocks over four games. Among these games was Ibaka's 30-point, nine-rebound performance (on 12-for-21 shooting) as well as a 25-point, nine-rebound, five-assist performance in Toronto's lone win over Milwaukee this season. It's no secret that the Raptors second unit has struggled this postseason, but if Ibaka were to reprise his multifaceted role against the Bucks in the Conference Finals it would mean one of two things for the team, both are positive. Re-inserting Ibaka into the starting unit would mean he would match up with Brook Lopez defensively, which is much more favourable for Toronto as Lopez spends plenty of time on the perimeter, a difficult task for Marc Gasol. Bringing Gasol back off the bench could be positive for the struggling second unit, that could benefit from his playmaking ability and passing skills. If the lineups remain the same, increased offence from Ibaka can set the tone for the second unit and potentially relieve the pressure placed on Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell to produce. One way or another, high-level play from Ibaka will influence the Raptors bench to turn it around, which only improves their chances to advance to the Finals.