The Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t stop the Toronto Raptors’ offense and gave up 118 points as the Raptors took their first lead of the series.
The series has tilted in Toronto’s favor, as Thursday’s game in Milwaukee could now see them clinch. A great offensive effort from the Toronto Raptors gave them a first quarter lead that the Milwaukee Bucks wouldn’t breach.
Two quick three-pointers from Malcolm Brogdon helped the Bucks go up 8-7 to start the game, but Ibaka also started off strong, scoring seven of the Raptors first nine points. The Raptors took advantage of sloppy turnovers by the Bucks to go on a 17-point run.
Greg Monroe checked into the game, and scored six straight points for the Bucks, which helped the Bucks go on a nine-point run of their own to cut the lead back to just six. Still down 26-20, the last minute and a half belonged to the Raptors, who scored the last five points to hold a 31-20 lead after the first quarter. Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka started strong, each with 9 points.
More from Bucks News
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited
Mirza Teletovic came in to start the second quarter, and immediately scored his only points of the night with a long three-pointer. The two teams traded baskets to start the second quarter, with both teams scoring seven points in the first three minutes. But a run by the Raptors left them up 51-32 with six minutes to go in the half.
The Bucks later answered with yet another nine point run of their own, and cut the lead to 10. They ended up trailing by nine at half time. Giannis Antetokounmpo found success driving into the paint, and scored 12 points in the second quarter, ending up with 16 at the half. For the Raptors, Kyle Lowry scored 12 points in the second quarter, as well as grabbing three steals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the paint in the 2nd quarter for the Bucks pic.twitter.com/RMJ38m63sB
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2017
Both teams battled back and forth coming out of halftime, and after three minutes the score was 65-55 in the home team’s favor. The Raptors then scored five straight to force a Bucks timeout.
The Bucks couldn’t slow down the Raptors’ offense, and couldn’t put a dent in the lead though. With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Jonas Valanciunas backed into Monroe, who was coming down from going for a layup, and left him on the ground. Valanciunas then ran the court to force a five on four opportunity for the Raptors, in which they found the center and Khris Middleton sent him to the line. Things got tense once Monroe caught up and a shoving match ensued between the two big men.
Valanciunas flips Monroe. pic.twitter.com/Y0IcqHgVZB
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 25, 2017
The Raptors began to pull away afterwards, and led 90-73 going into the fourth quarter.
The Bucks’ offense charged out in the fourth, led by Brogdon, who scored eight of the Bucks first 12 points, and Giannis, who had the other four. Not a single other Buck would score until Matthew Dellavedova was sent to the line, and he made one free throw. The Raptors continued their torrid scoring pace, and Giannis and Brogdon couldn’t match them. The starters were pulled with 2:46 remaining and the Bucks down 113-90. The only field goals made outside of garbage time for the Bucks were from Giannis and Brogdon.
The Raptors shot well all night, and didn’t play selfishly. They had 28 assists and made 12-27 threes. The Bucks couldn’t keep pace with their offense, although Giannis finished with 30, and Brogdon followed him with 19.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Ready For His Playoff Moment?
The series heads back to Milwaukee on Thursday where the Bucks will either win to force a Game 7, or the Raptors will put an end to their season.