Home Basketball The Bucks overcome Antetokounmpo’s absence with 37 points from Lillard to defeat the Raptors 128–112

The Bucks overcome Antetokounmpo’s absence with 37 points from Lillard to defeat the Raptors 128–112

Basketball — 11/16/2023

A graphic featuring a photo of Damian Lillard shooting. Text on the graphic reads, "Player of the Game. Damian Lillard. 37 PTS, 13 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL."

ATLANTA (AP) — Malik Beasley scored a career-high 30 points, Damian Lillard finished with 37 points and a career-high 13 assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Toronto Raptors 128–112 on Wednesday night despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence.

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

After participating in the first ten games of the season, Antetokounmpo was forced to sit out his first due to a strained right calf. In Monday’s victory over Chicago, he contributed 35 minutes of play and finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds. 3.6 assists, 9.6 rebounds, and 29.5 points are the averages for the 7-foot player.

For Milwaukee, Bobby Portis scored eighteen points, and Cameron Payne scored thirteen.

Lillard made 15 of 16 free throws while shooting 9 for 18.

Lillard scores 37, Bucks overcome Antetokounmpo's absence to beat Raptors 128-112 | AP News

The Bucks’ 20 for 39 long-range performance tied a season-high for 3-pointers made. Lillard made 4 of 10 long-range shots, compared to 8 of 11 for Beasley.

After missing two games due to a sore right calf, Lillard returned, and Milwaukee won for the second time in as many meetings. Milwaukee exacted revenge on Toronto.

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MarJon Beauchamp, a guard for the Bucks, hurt his right ankle and left the game after scoring four points in ten minutes.

For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes scored 29 points. Jakob Poeltl finished with 11 rebounds and 13 points.

Toronto lost its second straight game with a 20-point or more deficit. Toronto defeated Washington 111-107 on Monday after coming back from a 71-48 deficit, but they were unable to overcome the Bucks.

With 5:05 remaining in the third quarter, Beasley made a long-range shot to give Milwaukee a 93-60 lead, which was Toronto’s largest deficit of the year.

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Due to a cut finger on his right hand, Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby missed his second consecutive game, and guard Gary Trent Jr. missed his third straight due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Gradey Dick, a rookie, made his Toronto debut in place of Anunoby. On November 20, Dick, who will turn 20, made history by being the third youngster to start a game for the Raptors. The others were Chris Bosh and Tracy McGrady.

The Bucks responded to Toronto’s early 8-2 lead with a 17-0 outburst and never looked back. Three quarters in, Milwaukee led 36-21; at the half, the lead was 70-47.