After dropping back-to-back matchups to teams below them in the standings, the Milwaukee Bucks could not afford to do so again against the Toronto Raptors.
Things would be trickier with Khris Middleton out, but still, Toronto boasts fewer than ten wins on the season, so the odds were still in Milwaukee's favor. Indeed, the Bucks did get back in the win column against their north-of-the-border foe in a game where six players scored double-digit points, four of which were over 15, as they coasted to a 128-104 victory.
A prominent reason for the victory was the play of Damian Lillard, who snapped a vicious slump that previously had been holding him back.
Damian Lillard looked like himself again in Bucks' win
The three contests leading up to the Toronto matchup were tough to stomach for Damian Lillard fans. In that stretch, Lillard averaged just 16 points while shooting an abysmal 28.6 percent from the floor. The point guard couldn't get into any semblance of a groove, and it plagued the Milwaukee Bucks, who went just 1-2 in those games.
Against Toronto, he looked like a whole new player, at least in the second half. Lillard was actually a bit cold in the first 24 minutes, scoring 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting. However, he turned it on in the third quarter by scoring 15 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting, including 4-of-4 from deep. The highlight of his night was a 4-point play, draining one of his triples through contact.
In total, he finished with 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-8 from deep, five rebounds and three assists in just under 26 minutes. He didn't have the flashiest scoring game or break some prized record with his 3-point shooting, but Lillard looked comfortable in his shots, and unlike the past few games, it was great to see a few go through the net, especially the swishes.
Now, Damian Lillard will have to keep his foot on the gas and continue this type of play. Milwaukee has been a roller coaster this season, and Lillard's inconsistencies have played a part. The hope is that he can use this game as a starting point to find his groove once again.
Lillard wasn't alone in helping the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Raptors, as Bobby Portis poured in 20 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double with a rare line with 13 assists, 12 rebounds and 11 points. It was a great all-around win for a squad that needed a jolt after a down stretch.
Next up on the schedule is Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, who should be a good test for the inconsistent Bucks in Milwaukee.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.