NBA: Bucks overcome Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to defeat Raptors

Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard (0) drives between Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes, left, and Jakob Poeltl throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)

TORONTO— Damian Lillard had 37 factors and a season-high 13 assists, Malik Beasley scored a season-high 30 factors and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to beat the Toronto Raptors 128-112 within the NBA on Wednesday night time.

“The state of affairs was proper for it,” Lillard mentioned of his huge night time. “With Giannis not taking part in I knew I’d have extra accountability, I knew I must be extra aggressive and form of assert myself from a playmaking and scoring standpoint.”

Antetokounmpo missed his first sport of the season after taking part in the primary 10, sitting out due to a strained proper calf. He performed 35 minutes in Monday’s win over Chicago, ending with 35 factors and 11 rebounds. The 7-footer is averaging 29.5 factors, 9.6 rebounds and three.6 assists.

Bobby Portis scored 18 factors for Milwaukee and Cameron Payne had 13.

Lillard shot 9 for 18 and made 15 of 16 on the free throw line.

“That’s the Dame everyone knows,” Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez mentioned. “It was nice to see him in rhythm, comfy on the market and main the crew.”

The Bucks completed 20 for 39 from lengthy vary, matching a season-high for made 3-pointers. Lillard made 4 of 10 whereas Beasley shot 8 for 11 from deep.

“He made a whole lot of well timed pictures,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin mentioned of Beasley. “That’s what he’s right here for. He’s an unbelievable shooter.”

Milwaukee avenged a loss at Toronto and gained for the second time since Lillard returned after lacking two video games due to a sore proper calf.

“He took management of the sport early,” Griffin mentioned of Lillard. “He’s a grasp at selecting his spots and navigating via screens.”

Dame within the Bucks W:

37 PTS
4 REB
13 AST

Buckets 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pAzUjyfKIK

— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2023

Bucks guard MarJon Beauchamp scored 4 factors in 10 minutes earlier than leaving due to a sprained proper ankle.

Scottie Barnes scored 29 factors for Toronto. Jakob Poeltl had 13 factors and 11 rebounds.

The Raptors fell behind by 20-plus factors for the second straight sport. Toronto rallied from a 71-48 deficit to beat Washington 111-107 on Monday however didn’t have sufficient to get better towards the Bucks.

“The blokes beginning the sport, they’ve received to deliver it extra,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic mentioned.

Beasley linked from lengthy vary to place Milwaukee up 93-60 with 5:05 left within the third quarter, Toronto’s greatest deficit of the season.

Raptors ahead O.G. Anunoby missed his second straight sport due to a lower finger on his proper hand whereas guard Gary Trent Jr. (plantar fasciitis, proper foot) sat for a 3rd straight.

With Anunoby out, rookie Gradey Dick made his first begin for Toronto. Dick, who turns 20 on November 20, turned the third teenager to begin a sport for the Raptors. Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh had been the others.

Toronto led 8-2 early however the Bucks replied with a 17-0 run and by no means trailed once more. Milwaukee led 36-21 after one quarter and 70-47 on the half.

UP NEXT

Bucks: Milwaukee visits the Charlotte Hornets on Friday in an In-Season Event sport.

Raptors: Toronto begins match play by internet hosting the Boston Celtics on Friday.