The Milwaukee Bucks finally dominated a game that they were expected to dominate. Following two disappointing losses in a row against inferior opponents, Milwaukee rose to the occasion, improving to 18-16 on the season after defeating the Toronto Raptors on the road 128-104. Toronto dropped to 8-28 on the season.
As one might have expected, Milwaukee’s dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard finally snapped out of the funk that their prolonged illnesses, which had held both of them out for multiple games, and absolutely took over the contest.
The Milwaukee Bucks Were Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard
While Toronto had a good game plan to keep Giannis from scoring in the paint, they could not stop him and the Bucks’ red-hot shooters at the same time. Their incredible three-point shooting on Monday night helped the Greek Freak record 10 assists before halftime.
He finished the night with 11 points (on 5/8 shooting), 12 rebounds, and 13 assists, extending his franchise record for triple-doubles (now 49). Amazingly, he played a great portion of his minutes with a laceration on his right hand that required stitches after the game.
Lillard broke out of his shooting slump, going 7/12 from the field and scoring 25 points while adding five rebounds and three assists. During the game, he passed Hall of Fame point guard and former Bucks trade acquisition Gary Payton for 38th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Milwaukee Bucks Sharpshooters Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. Hit Three-Point Milestones
As mentioned, the Raptors had a good plan on how to keep Giannis from scoring near the rim, so he was frequently passing to wide open three-point shooters for most of the night. As a team, the Bucks were 22/44 from three.
Playing against his former team, Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. hit his 900th career three-pointer:
That’s 900 career 3-pointers for Gary Trent Jr. !! #FearTheDeer #NBA pic.twitter.com/NBNJxaf4LP
— FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (@FanDuelSN_WI) January 7, 2025
He finished the night 3/5 from three while scoring 17 points to go with three rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
Brook Lopez, who did not make a single three point shot until his seventh year in the NBA, recorded his 1,000th career three pointer in the win:
1,000th career three for Brook Lopez! pic.twitter.com/ktdYSBGHAc
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 7, 2025
Lopez finished the night with 16 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
One really has to marvel at how Lopez reinvented his game halfway through his career so that he could remain relevant and competitive. He is now a 35% career three-point shooter and still one of the best rim protectors in the NBA.
While he is not as athletic or fast as other big men, he is still one of the more underrated big men in the league.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- NBA Insider Presents Intriguing Proposal on How Bucks Can Acquire Jimmy Butler
- Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Streak Ends at 27 Games, but Bucks Finally Show Up vs Inferior Competition
- Bucks-Jimmy Butler Report Gaining Widespread Attention
- Bucks: AJ Green Makes Blunt Admission that Team Treated NBA Cup Differently
- “Injury Prone Man;” Milwaukee Bucks Fans not Surprised Khris Middleton Ruled OUT vs Raptors
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
