The end of this game Raptors–bucks was as exceptional as the beginning will have been boring! After going through a black hole from the start of the match, at 0/15 shooting to start the game, Nick Nurse’s troops could thus consider themselves lucky to be only one point behind after 12 minutes of play (12 -13).
Back-to-back, Milwaukee also struggled to restart the machine on his side, resulting in a basketball mush that lasted until the break, punctuated by Toronto’s first two 3-pointers, scored by Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr (38-39).
The sequel was much better. OG Anunoby’s two 3-point missiles and Fred VanVleet’s two straight baskets brought Toronto back to 53-53. But in this context, Milwaukee managed to stay the course, with an 8-2 concluded by the hyperactive MarJon Beauchamp (55-61).
The aerial finishes of Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher, however, allowed the locals to consider the last act with hope (59-63). But the Bucks quickly calmed the opposing ardor. There was a 7-0 with a 3-pointer from Giannis Antetokounmpo to set the tone. The “Greek Freak” then turned off Toronto almost alone, on two golden services for Grayson Allen and Brook Lopez at 3-points then a 2+1 (69-88).
Milwaukee led by 16 points with 1:30 left…
Stunned, the Raptors gradually came to their senses thanks to the brilliance of Scottie Barnes, still far from imagining that the sophomore was going to launch an incredible “comeback”. And for good reason, Milwaukee was still leading by 16 points with 90 seconds remaining!
But Toronto hung on, played every second thoroughly and took advantage of a few exploits from Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr, combined with gross errors from Grayson Allen and Bobby Portis in particular, to line up a 28-7!
The hero of the last seconds was undoubtedly Gary Trent Jr, author of a 3+1 then a 3-pointer on the head of Brook Lopez to miraculously equalize at 97-97, sending the two teams into overtime! In an unbreathable atmosphere, Scottie Barnes managed two exploits to respond to Bobby Portis and Grayson Allen, but it was the Bucks sniper who had the last word with a 3-pointer in the corner on a final service from Giannis Antetokounmpo to validate his triple-double (101-104). Epic !
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– An unreal start to the match. The first quarter delivered quite original scenes for an NBA game with great awkwardness on both sides of the field. The Raptors opened the ball by starting at 0/15 shooting, Milwaukee responded with a series of 13 attempts without scoring in the game for a final score after 12 minutes: 12 to 13! Either the worst quarter of the season for both teams.
The result was not more glorious since Toronto again went through a streak at 0/13 shooting. At halftime, Raptors and Bucks then signed their worst first half of the season. Fortunately, the sequel was much more pleasing.
– When Grayson Allen plays “cat-bite” at the worst time. Grayson Allen’s reputation as a “dirty player” isn’t about to fade after the night’s game. The shooter indeed touched the private parts of Gary Trent Jr when the latter was in extension, about to register a 3-point crucial in the return of the premises. Result of the races, a Flagrant 1 which helped force an extension. Really not a very fine gesture on his part even if Grayson Allen made up for it well by signing the 3-point winner from the corner.
– End of series for Milwaukee. We have to go back to January 27, 2021 to find traces of a victory for Milwaukee against the Raptors in the regular season. It was therefore five games and almost two years that the Bucks were running after a success against Toronto. The end of the match was painful but Mike Budenholzer’s troops finally got their way!
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Giannis Antetokounmpo. Heroic in a “back-to-back” where Milwaukee was understaffed. He delivers his 10th decisive pass at the end of the effort to validate his triple-double but above all to ensure victory for his people after a huge disappointment. 30 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists and 1 block (as well as … 12 lost balls), All this the day after his career high of 55 points.
✅ Brook Lopez. Quite simply because he is essential alongside the “Greek Freak”, even if the Portis, Allen and Connaughton are too, and even if he did not particularly shine in attack (4/11 in shooting). A dissuasive presence materialized by 19 rebounds and a valuable activity for this diminished team.
✅Gary Trent Jr. Simply for these two strokes of genius in the final sprint of the fourth quarter which allowed Toronto to prolong the suspense.
⛔️ The leaders of the Raptors…. Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam especially shone with their nervousness in this match, playing off-time. In difficulty from the start, due to faults in particular, Pascal Siakam was a shadow of himself (11 points at 4/18 shooting). “FVV” barely did better, with plenty of forced situations that contrasted with some good streaks. His last shot in overtime is a bad shot…
⛔️ The Raptors bench. It is however the match where the bench could have brought a precious second wind against a team in “back-to-back”. But the reverse happened. Mike Budenholzer’s bench was productive with 34 points where that of the locals remained stuck at 7 units…
THE FOLLOWING
Toronto (16-21): the Raptors will still be at home this Friday when they host the Knicks.
Milwaukee (24-13): the Bucks will host Charlotte this Friday (2:00 a.m.).
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