Milwaukee Bucks: Recent History Against Toronto Raptors
By Adam McGee
2012-13 Season: Bucks Win 3-0
The season of “Bucks In 6” fame for Milwaukee has subsequently been remembered with a strange fondness, but ultimately wasn’t very good. The Scott Skiles coached team finished three games below .500 with a record of 38-44, before being swept by the Heat in the playoffs.
One positive to draw from that season was the way in which the Bucks managed to perform against the Raptors, though.
Bucks 107, Raptors 96; Jan. 13, 2013 – Air Canada Centre
The Raptors entered this encounter on a red-hot run of form, and high on confidence as evidenced by an 18-point first quarter lead.
DeMar DeRozan is the only Raptors starter to remain from that day, and he led his team with 23 points. Kyle Lowry also managed to chip in with six assists off the bench.
For Milwaukee, a rookie John Henson was influential in turning the tide of the game with 19 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes. Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis and Larry Sanders were also influential as the Bucks eventually carved out a win.
Raptors 114, Bucks 122; Mar. 2, 2013 – Bradley Center
Get ready for the wave of nostalgia. It was March of 2013, and the Bucks were wearing everyone’s favorite green and purple throwbacks. Brandon Jennings dished out 19 assists, Ersan Ilyasova scored an impressive 29 points, and Larry Sanders finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.
This time around DeMar DeRozan was joined by Kyle Lowry in the starting lineup, while Jonas Valanciunas even had a cameo off the bench.
After Monta Ellis put the Bucks ahead in the closing 10 seconds, the Raptors fired back with a quick response to force the game to an overtime period. From there, the Bucks would pull away for the win.
Raptors 83, Bucks 100; Apr. 6, 2013 – Bradley Center
Monta Ellis didn’t quite have it all from the field on this occasion, but he certainly took care of business at the free throw line. The Bucks cruised to victory against a Raptors team who they had also left behind in the race for eighth place in the standings.
Ellis finished with 22 points, nine assists, six steals and four rebounds and made a perfect 10-10 at the free throw line, while the Raptors struggled offensively with Alan Anderson top scoring with only 14 points.