The Milwaukee Bucks downed the Toronto Raptors, 122-116, to improve to 2-0 on the young season. Giannis was an absolute killer, with 31 points, 20 rebounds (!), and seven assists. Additionally, Cole Anthony
and Gary Trent Jr. combined for 43 points. The Raptors were led by Brandon Ingram, who dropped 29 points.
Game Recap
It was a boxing match to start, with both teams going blow for blow. Giannis was dominant on both ends, with 12 points and some brilliant work as a weak-side rim protector and rebounder. The Raptors were trying to flex their size against the visitors’ smaller lineup, but Milwaukee held its own. Then, Cole Anthony came into the game and gave ‘em five quick points as Toronto called a timeout, down 21-15 with 2:50 left in the first. Barring a few unforced turnovers, the non-Giannis lineup did well to end the quarter, Bucks up 27-19 at the first break.
The Bucks’ scoring dried up to open the second, and they continued to make silly turnovers; ergo, the Raptors came all the way back to grab a 35-33 lead following a Brandon Ingram transition triple. The lead extended after another transition three, this time from second-year man Jamison Battle, as they took their largest lead of the game at seven, up 42-35. Still playing poorly, the Bucks hung around for the next few minutes and made it to a late timeout down 41-47. The Raptors made a point of posting up Brandon Ingram on AJ Green for the rest of the period, and they succeeded. However, some crucial late three-point makes from Ryan Rollins and Gary Trent Jr. had the Bucks just down two at half, 52-54.
The Bucks came out of the locker room much more focused; they were getting good shots and finally knocking down some threes. Toronto held serve for the most part, but an electrifying Ryan Rollins two-fisted flush in transition had the visitors up one, 67-66, at the first timeout. After a bad defensive play, Cole Anthony redeemed himself with another acrobatic finish at the rim to keep the score deadlocked at 74 with about five minutes left in the third. Anthony then got to the free throw line for another three trips, but inexplicably missed 4/6! Bobby Portis then finally got going with consecutive mid-range shots to put the Bucks up three, but Scottie Barnes nailed a corner three to tie the game at 86 going into the fourth.
Toronto began the final frame with consecutive three-point plays, one a three from Battle, the other a three-point play from Quickley. The Bucks fired back, though, mainly through Portis, who quickly tapped on another five points, evening the contest at 97. Then, Giannis nailed his second three of the night (because sure, why not?) to put the Bucks up three. But RJ Barrett went to work beating up on the smaller Bucks guards to tie the game, once again, a few minutes later at 105. Cole Anthony and Immanuel Quickley went back and forth a little bit over the next few minutes, and the Bucks were up one point with 3:30 on the clock. Doc then called a timeout and drew up some action for Trent, who flew off a down screen and nailed a crucial three. Cole Anthony then made a bunch of huge plays, getting to the cup and scoring to put the Bucks up 117-111. But of course, Brandon Ingram nailed a three to reduce the lead to four, but another clutch three from Trent on the next possession put the game away!
Stat That Stood Out
The Bucks could have made life easier for themselves if they’d hit their free throws at a better rate, going 14/24 on the night.
