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Milwaukee would get back to their winning ways, locking down a 118-111 victory over the Toronto Raptors Sunday evening at Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks shot the ball well in the first quarter, especially from deep. However, the Raptors were able to keep themselves in it thanks to the poor ball handling from Milwaukee. In the first quarter, the Bucks coughed the ball up four times. Despite that, the seven threes they did connect one did grant them a 33-29 lead after one.
Toronto rattled off an 13-3 run to begin the second, which flip-flopped things their way early on. Milwaukee would be quick to respond, sounding off with a 10-2 run of their own and re-gaining slight control of things. They held a sliver of a lead at the break, 58-56.
Turnovers would continue to be a problem for the Bucks in the third. They’d end up committing five more in the frame. Toronto continued to capitalize on the times where Milwaukee was unable to facilitate things, staying in front for a majority of the quarter. Headed into the fourth, Milwaukee found themselves down 95-89.
The Bucks re-discovered the lead to begin the fourth, bringing the Fiserv Forum crowd back to life (this was with Giannis and Holiday on the bench). That would prove to be the juice that Milwaukee needed to get across the finish line. Toronto would hover around, but never re-gain the composure necessary to hop back in front. Milwaukee closed things out with a 118-111 victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had his fingerprints all over this one, polishing off a triple-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and ten assists. The crazy thing? He didn’t miss a shot. That’s only the 13th time that’s happened. Brook Lopez was pivotal in his return to the lineup, posting a game-high 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting and going 7-of-7 from the line.
Fred VanVleet was his typical self against the Bucks, pouring in 23 points, which served as the game-high for the Raptors.
The Bucks now have a small break before they finish up their homestand Wednesday night against San Antonio.
Three Observations
The Bucks had difficulty protecting the basketball.
All night long, the Raptors were pests on the defensive end, forcing Milwaukee to cough up the basketball. When things were all said and done, the Bucks turned the ball over 12 times. It was often the catalyst to Toronto’s scoring runs, providing them momentum to flip the script. Mike Budenhozler talked about the scrappiness of this Raptors’ squad in his postgame availability, mentioning how they’re always everywhere and making life hard. You know that this will be something that’s watched on the film between now and Wednesday and will surely be a point of emphasis against the Spurs.
Welcome back to the lineup, Brook Lopez.
After being sidelined due to an injury against the Pacers, it was a welcomed sight to see Brook Lopez again. Right from the tip, his impact and presence was palpable. Not only would he erupt for 26 points, but his defense picked up right where he left off. You can tell just how much he means to his teammates by just simply being out there on the floor and how his presence impacts opposing players. In his postgame availability, Mike Budenholzer talked about just how much his offense was needed in an ugly game where the Bucks weren’t really able to find a groove. Additionally, Jrue Holiday was extremely complementary of him:
Brook Lopez was massive for Milwaukee tonight, scoring 17 points in the fourth. He finished with a game-high 26 points.
— Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3) March 20, 2023
Here's Jrue Holiday on what he means to this Bucks team: pic.twitter.com/l12N9nUO4Z
The defense tightened up for Milwaukee in the fourth.
We’ve seen this Bucks team put up some awful quarters as of late. In the third quarter last night, they gave up 39 to Toronto. It really made it seem as if the momentum shifted their way, but Milwaukee was quick to turn things around and tighten the bolts. In the fourth, they’d allow just 16, which was more than enough for them to secure the victory. That’s something that Bud was extremely appreciative of postgame, though the third quarter still irked him.
Bonus Bucks Bits
- With the win, the Bucks have now clinched its first series win over Toronto since the 2019-20 season. They meet April 9th in Toronto for the final game of the regular season. If Milwaukee wins that, it’ll be their first season series sweep of the Raptors since 2012-13.
- That run without Jrue and Giannis to start the fourth really set the mood for how things closed out. Brook Lopez was doing a lot of the key damage (remember, he outscored Toronto in the fourth). That just shows how dangerous this Bucks team can in fact be, even when their big three of Giannis/Khris/Jrue aren’t having an immediate impact.
- We have more Giannis/chicken content:
A team assistant just brought chicken tenders into the locker room for the team’s postgame meal.
— Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3) March 20, 2023
“Can I get 712 of them?” — Giannis
(He’s now the franchise leader in most games played with 712.)
- Jrue Holiday nearly threw down a poster on Jakob Poeltl. In his postgame availability in the locker room, Holiday told us because he had blocked him on another attempt. Had he indeed connected on that slam, Fiserv would’ve been brought down.
- This is quite the accomplishment:
The most games played in a Bucks uniform.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 20, 2023
Congrats Giannis on passing Junior Bridgeman as the franchise leader for most games played with 712 games. @moetchandon | #MoetMoment pic.twitter.com/wq3rMWSDy5
- And now a full rundown of where Giannis stands in franchise history:
Giannis Antetokounmpo in Bucks history:
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) March 20, 2023
1st in games played
1st in minutes played
1st in points
1st in defensive rebounds
1st in assists
1st in blocks
1st in triple-doubles
2nd in field goals
2nd in total rebounds
4th in steals
4th in offensive rebounds
King of Milwaukee
That begs the question:
Giannis has officially passed Junior Bridgeman for most games played in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform.
— Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3) March 20, 2023
Maybe he'll look to surpass Bridgeman's @Wendys franchise numbers once he retires? (but maybe he'll do @culvers instead) https://t.co/0merliG5Y8
- We’re in the thick of March Madness and Bobby Portis is fired up:
I asked Bobby Portis how he’s feeling after Arkansas’ victory over Kansas.
— Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3) March 20, 2023
“I’m feeling great…I took my shirt off too!”
- Yet again, we found ourselves with the blue alternate court. The primary court continues to have repair work done. Will it be ready by the playoffs? Only time will tell...
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