Despite missing Damian Lillard, Bucks handle Raptors
League: NBA
Posted on: 13 Nov, 2024 at 03:57 AM
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Five Bucks reached double figures and Milwaukee overcame a monster night from Gradey Dick to beat the visiting Raptors 99-85 on Tuesday night in the first NBA Cup game for each team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 23 points and seven assists. Bobby Portis had 17 points off the bench.
Dick, the 20-year-old second-year pro from Kansas, finished with a career high 32 points. Jakob Poeltl scored 13 with eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks, and Chris Boucher added 12 points for the Raptors, who never led and have lost five straight and nine of 10. The 85 points were the fewest they have scored all season.
The Bucks played without star guard Damian Lillard, who sat out while in concussion protocol. He could return for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.
Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers changed up his starting lineup, which included AJ Green and Ryan Rollins. Rollins left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. He finished with 12 points and five steals in 22 minutes. Green also scored 12 points.
Dick had 22 first-half points, but Milwaukee controlled the pace and built a 54-43 halftime lead.
Toronto opened the second half with a game-tying 11-0 run, with Dick and RJ Barrett sinking treys, Dick hitting two free throws and Ochai Agbaji another 3-pointer.
Milwaukee called a timeout and immediately responded. Taurean Prince hit a trey from the corner and Antetokounmpo made two free throws to spark an 18-5 run that made it 72-59. The lead eventually grew to 21.
Toronto cut the lead to 10 in the fourth with 5:09 left on a Barrett jumper but could not get any closer.
Milwaukee made 16 of 56 treys after averaging 35.4 attempts from long range coming into the contest.
Toronto reached the NBA Cup semifinals last year, losing to Indiana.
--Field Level Media