Damian Lillard pours in 37 to carry Bucks past Raptors

Field Level Media|published: Wed 15th November, 22:36 2023

Nov 15, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Dennis Schroder (17) defends in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. credits: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard had 37 points and 13 assists and the visiting Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Toronto Raptors 128-112 Wednesday night.

Malik Beasley added a season-best 30 points and made eight 3-pointers for the Bucks, who have won two in a row.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain) did not play for Milwaukee.

Khris Middleton added 11 points, Brook Lopez had 10 points, Bobby Portis scored 18 points and Cameron Payne poured in 13.

Scottie Barnes scored 29 points for the Raptors, who are 1-1 on their four-game homestand. Jakob Poeltl had 13 points and 11 rebounds while Pascal Siakam, Precious Achiuwa and Gradey Dick scored 11 points.

It was the second visit to Toronto this season for the Bucks, who lost the first one 130-111 on Nov. 1.

The Bucks took a 21-point lead into the fourth quarter (100-79). Toronto scored the first four points of the fourth. Malachi Flynn's 12-footer cut the lead to 15 with 9:20 to play. Poeltl's layup cut the margin to 13 but Milwaukee then went up by 20 on Payne's 3-pointer with 4:00 left.

Milwaukee used a late run to take a 36-21 lead after one quarter. Toronto cut the lead to 10 on Dick's 19-footer with 4:48 left in the second quarter. The Bucks regained their 16-point lead on Beasley's 3-pointer with 2:16 remaining. Beasley hit a 3-pointer to end the first half, giving Milwaukee a 70-47 lead.

Lillard had 24 points and eight assists in the first half. Beasley added 16 first-half points for Milwaukee.

Barnes had 16 first-half points for Toronto.

Milwaukee's MarJon Beauchamp (ankle) left the game in the first half and did not return. He had four points.

Milwaukee scored the first seven points of the third quarter to lead by 30. Beasley's 3-pointer with 7:59 to play in the third quarter pushed their lead back to the 30-point margin. Portis made two free throws to bump the score to 90-58 with 5:53 left in the quarter. Milwaukee wound up leading 100-79 after the third quarter.

OG Anunoby (lacerated finger) and Gary Trent Jr. (foot) did not play for Toronto.

—Field Level Media