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Milwaukee Bucks Grades and Reactions From 107-89 Loss to the Toronto Raptors

By Jeff Herrmann

Mar 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors forward Luis Scola (4) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors forward Luis Scola (4) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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With one emphatic, dismissive swipe the Toronto Raptors reminded the Milwaukee Bucks exactly where they stand in the NBA’s pecking order with a 107-89 demolition of the Bucks.

Mar 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors forward Luis Scola (4) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors forward Luis Scola (4) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

We were all living in a house of cards.

Well, that’s not exactly true. Only some of us (myself included) believed that the mojo the Bucks found with point Giannis and the rest of the big three could elevate the team to a competitive level with one of the league’s best.

For a quarter it looked like they might.

The Bucks jumped out to a 28-22 lead after one on the shoulders of seven points, five rebounds and three assists from Giannis and another seven points from Jerryd Bayless. Even Miles Plumlee threw in six points in just 3:13.

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Then Giannis and Khris Middleton took a seat and the house of cards toppled over.

Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t just crumble on it’s own structural imbalances, but was shoved over by one Kyle Lowry. Forcefully at that.

Without his buddies DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll, and Jonas Valančiūnas, Lowry took full control of scoring–burning the Bucks for 20 first half points.

Then in the third quarter Lowry and the Raptors exposed the Bucks most glaring weakness–three-point defense. The Raptors scorched the Bucks to the tune of 7-13 from three in the second half (the Bucks shot 2-13 for the game) while transforming their modest halftime lead to an overwhelming blowout.

Judging by their body language, shot selection, and overall play the Bucks surrendered by the time the third quarter ended.

There’s no shame in losing to the Raptors–they are an excellent team. But to get dominated by them on the home court without three of their better players is disappointing.

The loss also exposes some salient needs: three-point shooting and three-point defense.

Mr. Hammond has some shopping to do this summer.

For more on the home loss check out our Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions.

Next: Reactions: The Good

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