The Toronto Raptors seem to have it all figured out at home.
Following tonight’s 131-127 overtime win against the Bucks, they improve their home record to an NBA-best 14-1 and are now 25-10 overall, chasing the Boston Celtics for first place in the Eastern conference.
All-star guard DeMar DeRozan scored Toronto’s first nine points, and would later finish with a career-high and new franchise record of 52 points (17-29 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 13-13 FT), breaking the previous record of 51, held by both Vince Carter and Terrence Ross. DeRozan also posted five rebounds and eight assists in the win.
Kyle Lowry added 26 points (7-13 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 7-10 FT) six rebounds and six assists in what was really a two-man wrecking crew for the Raptors. The rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference quarterfinals seemed to have picked up where it left off, and having to play an extra five minutes was indicative of that.
The Bucks were led by Eric Bledsoe, who dropped 29 points (9-15 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and four steals across 35 minutes of action. Bledsoe had 11 of the Bucks’ 13 points in the overtime period.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had just eight points at halftime, but finished with 26 points (9-18 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 7-9 FT), nine rebounds and seven assists across 41 minutes of floor time. Khris Middleton played a team-high 43 minutes, but only produced 18 points (7-17 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Bucks will look to avenge this loss on Friday, but first have the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday before they can really focus on that.
