Bucks Stumble Against Raptors: A Tough Night in Toronto
The Milwaukee Bucks were looking to stretch their winning streak to a season-high four games, but the Toronto Raptors had other plans. In a hard-fought battle, the Bucks fell short, marking their third loss of the season.
Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. each scored 21 points, with Porter Jr. also dishing out 10 assists for a double-double. Immanuel Quickley stole the spotlight, leading all scorers with 32 points and nine assists on an impressive 11/19 shooting.
Game Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
Kevin Porter Jr. set the tone early, helping the Bucks jump out to a quick lead with a mix of sharp shooting and aggressive play. Contributions from AJ Green and Myles Turner bolstered the effort, while Cam Thomas made a memorable home debut with Milwaukee, netting eight of the team's next 10 points.
The Bucks maintained control throughout the first quarter, leading by eight at one point. However, Sandro Mamukelashvili's buzzer-beating three-pointer cut the lead to 27-22 as the first quarter concluded.
Immanuel Quickley had a quiet start but exploded in the second quarter, scoring the Raptors' first 12 points and narrowing the gap to just one. A three-pointer from Ja’Kobe Walter gave Toronto their first lead, prompting a timeout from Bucks coach Doc Rivers.
The Raptors' defense clamped down, pushing their lead to 11 by halftime, as the Bucks struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 5/16. A pair of free throws from Ryan Rollins helped Milwaukee head into the break down 60-51.
Rollins found his groove in the third quarter, spearheading a 7-0 run that brought the Bucks within three. But the Raptors answered swiftly, scoring eight straight and extending their lead once more.
Brandon Ingram added eight points, and Gradey Dick's free throws pushed Toronto's advantage to 20 points. Despite Rollins and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles trading baskets late in the quarter, the Bucks trailed 92-73.
In the final quarter, the Raptors continued their dominance, outscoring Milwaukee 12-6 in the first four minutes. As the game slipped further away, the Bucks found themselves down by as many as 27 points.
With the outcome clear, Doc Rivers opted to rest his starters, giving players like Andre Jackson Jr. and Gary Harris some time on the court. Thanasis Antetokounmpo's and-one layup offered a brief moment of excitement for the fans before the final whistle.
Shooting Woes for Milwaukee
The Bucks came into the game ranked second in the league for three-point shooting at 39.2%. However, they struggled mightily against Toronto's stifling defense, hitting only 9 of 32 attempts (28.1%) from long range. It was one of their poorest shooting performances of the season, second only to a game against the Brooklyn Nets in December.
As the Bucks regroup, they'll need to address these shooting inconsistencies and find ways to counter strong defensive teams like the Raptors. With the season still young, there's ample time for adjustments and improvements.