The Raptors took an early lead, gave some of it back, then turned on the scoring jets to run away from the Bucks.
The Toronto Raptors continued their remarkable string of high-scoring victories with a 122-100 bashing of the Milwaukee Bucks. Toronto’s ninth win in ten games was another in which they smashed the century mark in points. You have to go all the way back to the Sacramento Rip-off game to find a match the Raptors didn’t score a hundred or more. (Of course, if Terrence Ross’ basket had counted, they would have, and been off to an OT victory…let it go, let it go.)
Speaking of Ross, he enjoyed his best scoring night of the season with a sparkling 25-point contribution off the bench which including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.
An early lead
The Raptors took control of this game early, with a 10-point bulge after a Q1 finished in fine style by a Patrick Patterson 3-ball.
Ross got busy in Q2 with 12 points in 6+ minutes, dropping a couple of long balls and some pretty runners. If Jonas Valanciunas hadn’t rimmed out his second free throw, the Raptors would have racked up their first 70-point half of the season.
Wayward second half
A hefty 20-point margin was halved by the Bucks in Q3, as the Raptors appeared listless. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, the only Bucks worth watching, scored 23 points between them, which matched Toronto’s total.
Sanity prevailed in Q4, as Ross scored 10 points early to restore an 18-point bulge. The Bucks never threatened after that, and coach Dwane Casey emptied his bench, save Bruno Caboclo.
The backcourt does their thing
DeMar DeRozan made the Bucks pay all night for their profligate fouling of him. He buried all 15 free-throws attempts on his way to another 30-point night. Kyle Lowry didn’t need any of those “we need a bucket, now” dramatic moments he’s so capable of. He picked his spots to shoot, making 4 of 7 from deep (where he’s been torrid lately) and racked up 7 assists. He can’t be happy about 5 turnovers, however, several of which occurred when he tried to pass into a crowd.
Wrapping it up
As for the Bucks, I was dazzled by their stars, and bored by everyone else. The Greek Freak needs help; if he gets it from more than just Parker, he’s an All-Star, at minimum. I’ve no idea what they are going to do with lumbering, expensive Greg Monroe. He’d be on my list of players never to trade for.
Dec 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball during a 122-100 loss to Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Tomorrow night the Raptors visit the 76ers, for a Kyle Lowry homecoming. Can they maintain their torrid scoring pace?
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