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In a game that didn’t feature full lineups (including Giannis Antetokounmpo), the Toronto Raptors would knock off the Milwaukee Bucks, 114-106.
After the beginning of the game was slightly delayed by a leak in the ceiling, the Bucks and Raptors would eventually tip off, much to the dismay of fans from both teams. Pat Connaughton would get things rolling for Milwaukee, scoring ten of the Bucks’ first 13 points. However, Matt Thomas and the Raptors wouldn’t allow the Bucks to get ahead, as a buzzer-beater for the rookie gave Toronto a 36-31 lead after one.
Toronto would continue to build their lead up, mainly thanks to the continued strong play from Norman Powell and Matt Thomas. Additionally, the Bucks would continue to mount up turnovers, which wouldn’t help the cause at all. A 7-0 run capped off by a Pascal Siakam 3-pointer with just over three seconds left would give Toronto a 67-53 lead at the break.
The Bucks would get it to single digits about four minutes into the third, but the Raptors quickly regained control and kept Milwaukee at bay. The Bucks would scratch and claw, but only at the surface and could never muster enough to really get back into it during the third. Heading into the fourth, the Raptors had built up an 88-75 advantage.
A brief spurt from beyond the arc from the Raptors to begin the fourth quarter seemed to serve as the nail in the coffin. It had been an uphill climb for the Bucks all game, but it wouldn’t be long before the Raptors found themselves up 20 points. The Bucks would make it single digits in the waning minutes of the game, but ultimately, Toronto’s lead was never really in danger.
Stat That Stood Out
I’m gonna go with turnovers here. We all know that it’s plagued the Bucks so far down in the bubble, and it continued to be a theme tonight. Is it miscommunication? Are players still rusty? Is it a lack of talking out on the floor? Whatever it is, it resulted in 19 turnovers, which Toronto used to their advantage on multiple occasions down the floor. Ultimately, I think the Bucks will be fine, but we’re nearing the playoffs and you definitely don’t want to be anywhere near this sloppy with the basketball come the postseason.