POOR MAN: Damian Lillard was helpless with 36 points as Bucks pulled off an embarrassing performance against Raptors

Lillard led the Bucks with 36 points and six assists, while Khris Middleton had 21 points. Middleton drilled a 3-pointer to bring the Bucks within two points with 54.5 seconds left, but he missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer moments later and the Raptors clinched the victory with four free throws.

Highlights: Bucks 111 – Raptors 117 | 4.5.24 | NBA.com

Bobby Portis had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee.

Gary Trent Jr. scored 31 points and the Toronto Raptors snapped a 15-game losing streak with a 117-111 victory over the slumping Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.

Milwaukee, playing without the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo, lost for the fifth time in its last six games, with the last three coming against Washington, Memphis and Toronto, who are all well below .500. Antetokounmpo sat out with a left hamstring injury.

Bucks fall to Raptors, Damian Lillard scores 36 points in return

Trent was 7 of 15 from 3-point range and helped the Raptors build a 14-point lead in the third quarter before the Bucks mounted a rally. But point guard Damian Lillard fouled out with 1:48 left and Toronto held on to take the season series from Milwaukee, 2-1.

Raptors snap 15-game skid and extend slump for Bucks, who lose third 111-117

RJ Barrett added 26 points and Immanuel Quickley had 25 for Toronto.

The Bucks fell to 15-16 since Doc Rivers took over as coach for Adrian Griffin on Jan. 26.

Struggling Bucks look to get back on track vs. Raptors | Reuters

Bucks vs. Raptors Final Score & Summary: Another Tough Loss for Milwaukee -  Brew Hoop

Milwaukee remains second in the Eastern Conference, leading Cleveland by one game and Orlando and New York by two with five games remaining for each team.

The Bucks host the Knicks on Sunday night and have two games remaining with Orlando, one at home next week and the season finale on the road on April 14.

“I think in this case, you do want the second seed,” Rivers said before the game. “Could Giannis play tonight? Absolutely. You’ve got to make a choice. And our choice is health first and seeding second.”

According to Rivers, Antetokounmpo went through shootaround on Friday morning and was decided to sit out following an assessment of his strained hamstring. Due to a right ankle issue, guard Pat Beverley missed his second consecutive game.

After missing two games due to back spasms, Trent made a comeback for the Raptors, and Ochai Agbaji started in the starting lineup after missing the previous three due to a right hip contusion. Barrett has missed ten of the eleven games prior.