MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased an impressive performance, contributing 35 points and 12 rebounds, which propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to a commanding 130-112 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Damian Lillard further supported the Bucks with 26 points and eight assists, helping the team achieve a clean sweep of their three-game season series against Toronto. Bobby Portis also made significant contributions with 15 points, while Khris Middleton added 13 points off the bench in just 24 minutes of play.
Antetokounmpo’s remarkable evening marked his 12th consecutive double-double, a streak that ranks as the second longest currently active in the NBA.
Milwaukee capitalized on its opportunities at the free-throw line, attempting 41 shots and converting 33 as Toronto accumulated a staggering 31 fouls over the course of the game.
For the Raptors, RJ Barrett was the standout, posting 21 points along with 10 assists. Bruce Brown chipped in with 17 points. Toronto managed to reduce an early 20-point shortfall by scoring six points straight at the start of the fourth quarter, closing the gap to 107-97. However, the Bucks responded with a decisive run, securing their third consecutive victory.
Toronto had recently found some form, winning their previous two home games against Golden State and Boston, bouncing back after a challenging 10-game losing streak.
In terms of individual performances, Scottie Barnes struggled significantly for the Raptors, shooting only 1 for 11 from the field and failing to land any of his five attempts from three-point range in the first half. Although he finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, his shooting percentage was just 4-of-16, and he missed all six of his three-point attempts.
The Bucks had another notable first quarter, scoring 37 points while shooting 50% from the field (11 of 22) and 12-of-14 at the foul line, establishing a 15-point lead. This follows their previous high-scoring first quarters, where they netted 47 points against Sacramento and 34 points versus Orlando.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Toronto challenged a foul call on Barnes with just 3.9 seconds remaining in the first half but ultimately lost the challenge, allowing Lillard to shoot three free throws. This decision left Milwaukee with a 72-57 advantage at halftime.
An essential statistic from the game shows that Milwaukee was highly efficient at the free-throw line in the first half, making 23 of their 27 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Raptors are set to host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, while the Bucks will welcome the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday to conclude their four-game homestand.
