Aussies in NBA Playoffs: Maker and Delly shine in Bucks' big win
The young Bucks of Milwaukee are sniffing Raptor blood in the water and eying a playoff upset over Toronto, drubbing them by 27 points (104 - 77) and taking a 2-1 series lead.
And the Bucks’ two Australian players were again instrumental on both ends of the court.
Are we having Thon yet?
Thon Maker is showing that he is all about this playoff life, taking his game to a new level in the postseason.
He finished game three with 11 points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT), 2 assists and 2 rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
Maker had the raucous home crowd exploding into rapture each time he made a play. Like poster dunking on Serge Ibaka (we're counting that as a dunk anyway).
https://twitter.com/TheFuzzNBA/status/855217186721251328
Or dishing a sweet dime to his all-length teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.
https://twitter.com/thegrindsession/status/855218216301408256
Then there is the energy Maker brings to the court. He's constantly diving to the rim to crash the boards or receive the assist and flying around on defense to challenge shots.
And the scary thing for the Raptors is he's getting better every game.
Welcome to Hellavedova
Matthew Dellavedova spent his time on the court terrorising the Raptors on defense and being Mr Efficiency on offense.
He finished the game with 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 3PT) and 2 assists in his 28 minutes.
Delly hounded Raptors star Kyle Lowry into a meagre 13 point, 2 assist performances, and Lowry didn’t like it one bit. Lucky to escape reprimand for throwing this little bow at Delly’s chin.
https://twitter.com/FantasyHQcomau/status/855225501090054144
But Delly's coach, Jason Kidd, couldn't be happier with how he is playing. Praising the man and his performance effusively after the game.
"Delly has been great," Kidd told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.
"Everybody is going to complain about someone who plays hard, which is unfortunate. Because as a player that's what you want. As a coach that's what you want. As a teammate that's what you want. That's what makes Delly, that's his DNA.
"We weren't thinking about these moments exactly (when we signed Dellavedova). We were thinking about a bigger picture, and that's our culture. Understanding you need players like Delly to do that. That's why we went after him hard. We're very lucky to have him. We are all about playing hard, sharing the ball and being a team."
Game 4 will be on nice and early at 5am on Sunday morning.