The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Toronto Raptors in their second-game of a back-to-back. It seems as if the Bucks have been the victims of a tough schedule lately. After a grueling four-game road trip that saw the team go 2-2, Milwaukee has won both home games in the last two days. Jrue Holiday has been vital in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. One could argue that Holiday almost single-handedly is responsible for the Bucks’ previous two wins. More importantly than individual performances, though, the rest of the Bucks’ team showed up on a level that has been lacking over the past few games. It all came together for a convincing 130-122 win.
Jrue Holiday Led the Way
As mentioned, the Bucks would not have won this game (or the previous one) without Jrue Holiday. The Bucks were once again without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Serge Ibaka. In their absence, Holiday once again was an offensive force. Additionally, he defended nearly every player on the Raptors at one point or another.
Brook Lopez Ejected
Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez was ejected late in the fourth quarter. Lopez was trading words with Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. and ripped Trent’s headband off. This started an altercation in which Lopez had be dragged away from several Raptors players. After a long look at the replay, the officials decided to eject Lopez from the game. Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby was assessed a technical foul.
Prior to ripping Trent’s headband off, it appeared that Trent said something that got under Lopez’s skin.
The Bucks Did All the Little Things Right (for the most part)
One of the reasons that the Bucks have struggled without Giannis is that they have not rebounded well. Additionally, the offense was stagnant and multiple players were cold from the field.
That all changed against the Raptors. The Bucks were still outrebounded by the Raptors (50-42) and Toronto got way too many second-chance points. However, the Bucks’ role players caught fire from the floor. As a team, Milwaukee shot 53.5% from the floor, 48.7% from three, and 90.5% from the line.
In the second quarter, the Bucks committed seven turnovers, a trend that has become all-too-familiar as of late. In the second half, though, they committed just two total turnovers as they pulled away in the third quarter.
Box Score: Milwaukee Bucks
- Brook Lopez: 19 points, one rebound, one assist, one block
- Jrue Holiday: 37 points, six rebounds, seven assists, two steals
- Pat Connaughton: 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal
- Bobby Portis: 12 points, 12 rebounds, one assist
- Grayson Allen: 25 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal
- George Hill: five points, one assist
- Jordan Nwora: seven points, three rebounds, one steal
- Jevon Carter: zero points, zero rebounds, zero assists
- AJ Green: zero points, one rebound, two assists
Box Score: Toronto Raptors
- Pascal Siakam: 23 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one block
- O.G. Anunoby: five points, three rebounds, two assist, one block
- Scottie Barnes: 14 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block
- Fred VanVleet: 39 points, nine rebounds, seven assist
- Gary Trent Jr.: 28 points, three rebounds, two assists, four steals
- Chris Boucher: zero points, five rebounds, one assist, one block
- Juancho Hernangomez: two points, one rebound
- Precious Achiuwa: 11 points, seven rebounds, one block
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