Milwaukee Bucks Fall To The Raptors Late, Lose 106-100
The Toronto Raptors hung on late to even the series with the Milwaukee Bucks, winning the tightly contested match 106-100.
The Milwaukee Bucks hung around all game long, and didn’t let it get out of hand, but the Raptors made more clutch shots down the stretch to take the win in Game 2. Kyle Lowry showed up with a big performance, putting his horrendous play of Saturday behind him as he went off for 22 points.
It wasn’t the best night for Giannis Antetokounmpo. He finished with the sort of stats we’ve come to expect, 24 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, but it took him 24 shots to get there. Khris Middleton, like Lowry, shook off his poor performance on Saturday, but the Bucks couldn’t pull ahead of the Raptors as the game wound down.
MORE FROM BUCKS NEWS
- 4/18 – Milwaukee Bucks Daily: Matthew Dellavedova’s Screens Remain A Talking Point
- 4/17 – Milwaukee Bucks Daily: Raptors Vocal About Game 1 Physicality
- 4/16 – Milwaukee Bucks Daily: Bucks Secure Perfect Start To Playoffs
- 4/15 – Milwaukee Bucks Daily: It’s Game Day
- 4/14 – Milwaukee Bucks Daily: Buildup To Game 1 In Toronto Continues
Thon Maker and Giannis did a good job protecting the rim to start the game, but the Raptors made their shots from outside. Still, midway through the first quarter the Bucks were up, 11-10, thanks in part to two three-pointers from Tony Snell, who finished the night 4-6 from deep.
Jonas Valanciunas got into foul trouble in the first, forcing Dwane Casey to put in rookie Jakob Poeltl. The first quarter ended with the Raptors only up by three, despite 12 DeRozan points and the Bucks only shooting 38 percent.
Some quick threes by the Raptors to start the second quarter forced the Bucks to call a timeout. Down 27-36 after the Raptors went on a 8-0 run to start the second, the Bucks went on a 9-0 run to tie it up, helped by six points from Moose. Lowry found success driving into the soft defense of Spencer Hawes, helping the Raptors gain a 50-42 advantage with 3:27 left before the half. The Bucks then held them to just three more points as the battled back, leaving the score at 52-55 after a last second tip-in from Hawes to end the half.
Both teams traded shots to start the second half, but after tying the score at 60, a 15-3 run by the Raptors put them ahead once again. A team effort by the Bucks helped them battle back with a 15-4 run, tightening up the score to 77-75 with 3:26 to go in the third. Six straight Bucks free throws to end the third quarter left the game at 83-84 going into the final quarter.
As was the trend tonight, the Bucks gave up another run to start the quarter. Serge Ibaka hit two shots from deep to help the Raptors score 11 straight points. But halfway through the final quarter, the Bucks had cut the lead to just five, 90-95, after a great Thon Maker alley-oop dunk from Giannis.
The game came down to the final two minutes, where the teams were tied at 100 apiece after a clutch Giannis three-pointer. DeMar DeRozan wasted no time in answering with a 19-foot pullup shot that he’s known for making. Malcolm Brogdon and Matthew Dellavedova got great looks from three in the upcoming possessions, but couldn’t cash in. A pair of Patterson free throws with eight seconds left put the game at it’s final score, 100-106.
The Bucks couldn’t grab a hold of a lead during the game, but did a great job battling back time and time again. It would have been great to go up two games, but the Bucks will have to take solace in the fact that the next two are played in Milwaukee.
Next: Win In 6 Podcast #113: Keep Your Friends Close And Your Delly Screens Closer
On Thursday night the Bucks will take on the Raptors once again, at 7pm, this time looking to take the series lead in front of the home crowd at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.