TORONTO — Giannis Antetokounmpo posted an impressive stat line with 11 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, marking his fourth triple-double of the current season, as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the struggling Toronto Raptors with a decisive score of 128-104 on Monday night.
Antetokounmpo had to receive three stitches to attend to a cut at the base of his right pinkie, but he returned to the game, completing his third career triple-double against Toronto.
Bobby Portis contributed significantly with 20 points, while Gary Trent Jr. netted 17 points against his previous team and Brook Lopez added 16 points. The Bucks dominated in bench scoring, outpacing the Raptors 63-24, marking Toronto’s disheartening 13th defeat in their last 14 matches.
Damian Lillard notably scored 15 points in the third quarter of the game. Prior to this matchup, the Bucks had faced two consecutive losses and four defeats in their previous five games, all of which were against teams with subpar records. However, they took control against the Raptors, establishing a substantial 33-point lead at 113-80 after Lopez’s three-pointer early in the fourth quarter.
For Toronto, RJ Barrett was the leading scorer with 25 points, while Scottie Barnes added 21. Jakob Poeltl contributed 12 points, and both Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick chipped in with 11 points each. Meanwhile, Khris Middleton sat out for Milwaukee due to an ankle injury after playing the last eight games.
In terms of takeaways, the Bucks have recorded a 16-8 record since their home victory over the Raptors on November 12, which signifies a significant recovery after starting the season at 2-8. The Raptors, on the other hand, had their trio of Barnes, Quickley, and Barrett play together as starters for the first time this season, accompanied by Poeltl and Dick.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Portis landed two long-range shots, spearheading a dominant 20-2 run that swung momentum firmly in the Bucks’ favor late in the opening quarter.
A key statistic highlighted Milwaukee’s dominance from beyond the arc, as they outscored Toronto 66-27 in three-point shots. The Raptors struggled significantly, shooting just 9 for 35 from long range, with a dismal 4 for 26 performance through the first three quarters.
Looking ahead, both teams will be back in action on Wednesday. The Bucks will host the San Antonio Spurs, while the Raptors are set to embark on a three-game road trip, starting at New York.
