Raptors 118, Bucks 93: Powell's heroics give Toronto 3-2 lead
TORONTO – Norman Powell played well in Toronto’s Game 4 victory on Saturday.
But that was just the warm-up act.
The Raptors second-year small forward dunked, drove and buried three-pointers from the corner as Toronto routed the Milwaukee Bucks, 118-93, to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series on Monday night.
Milwaukee will return home trying to stave off elimination on Thursday night in Game 6, while the Raptors will try to advance to a conference semifinal meeting with Cleveland.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a playoff career-high 30 points to lead the Bucks but their defense faltered and they continued to commit costly turnovers, something that plagued them in their Game 4 loss at home.
Powell, selected 46th overall in the 2015 draft with a pick the Bucks traded to Toronto in the ill-fated deal for Greivis Vasquez, was everywhere while thrilling the sellout crowd at the Air Canada Centre.
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BOX SCORE: Raptors 118, Bucks 93
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He finished with 25 points and drilled all four of his three-pointers, leading six Raptors players in double figures.
"Our defense got hit there in the first quarter," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. "We knew they were going to come after us; we had to expect that. We just couldn't respond. Then we started to get a little rhythm on the offensive end and our defense picked up.
"And we just couldn't get it under 10. It would go to nine and they would hit a three. We just couldn't get it back under control."
Serge Ibaka added 19 points and DeMar DeRozan 18 for Toronto. Point guard Kyle Lowry shook off a back injury to contribute 16 points and 10 assists. DeMarre Carroll had 12 points and Cory Joseph added 10 off the bench.
But the Raptors have looked like a different team since coach Dwane Casey inserted the ultra-quick Powell in the starting lineup in Game 4.
"I think they move the ball better with him in the game," Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon said. "I think they can spread the floor better. Everybody can attack; everybody can make plays.
"Very similar to us 1 through 4. I think they matched our speed, our intensity and our ability to have multiple guys that can make plays. That does change the game."
The Raptors shot 57.7% from the field (41 of 71) and hit 12 of 27 three-point attempts.
Kidd said the Bucks are learning how to respond in a series and will be tested again in Game 6 at home.
"We're lacking the experience of what's coming," Kidd said. "We can talk about it, but we have to go through that process. We have to walk through that door.
"For a lot of these guys, they've never seen this. You're talking about a team (Toronto) that has been to the Eastern Conference finals. They've been there. You go down, 3-2, you've got to go home and try to protect home and force a Game 7. That's all we can focus on now is Game 6. And we've got to be desperate and hungry."
Brogdon added 19 points for the Bucks and found a rhythm by hitting 7 of 11 shots, including 5 of 7 three-pointers.
He said the Raptors have momentum and confidence and the Bucks will have to work hard to force a seventh game.
"If we don't come out and give the energy we need to, then we'll lose and be done," Brogdon said. "It's that simple.
"I thought the last game we didn't play together at all. This game was better. I think we have to take another step in that direction. We have to play like we did in Game 3, really, with that energy and effort. Our fans will be there but we've got to bring it as a team."
Toronto went on a 17-0 run to take command in the first quarter, capping it on a three-pointer by Powell for a 26-11 lead.
Milwaukee responded with a 9-0 run highlighted by six points from Greg Monroe.
But the Raptors kept scoring as Powell sank another three-pointer near the end of the quarter. Lowry had 12 points in the second quarter and Toronto extended its lead to 51-32 on a jumper by Patrick Patterson.
Milwaukee responded with a 16-6 run to finish the half, helped by Antetokounmpo. He started getting into the lane with regularity and had seven points in the run.
Antetokounmpo also made a bullet pass to Thon Maker for a dunk to cut Toronto’s lead to seven points. But Lowry made two free throws with 4.6 seconds left to give the Raptors a 57-48 lead at intermission.
The Raptors shot 53.7% in the half (22 of 41) and were 7 of 16 from three-point distance.
Toronto scored 33 points in the third quarter as it extended its lead to 90-73. Powell had 12 points in the quarter.
The closest the Bucks got in the fourth quarter was within 14 points and they never threatened.
"I think it's a learning process for us," Antetokounmpo said. "After a bad whipping like this, you've got it in your head for the next two days. It gets you more eager, more angry and more ready for Game 6."
THREE TAKEAWAYS
1. The Bucks continued to handle the ball like a hot potato in the first quarter, committing five turnovers that led to 10 Toronto points. They finished with 15 turnovers leading to 28 points for the Raptors.
2. Khris Middleton had five steals and six assists but scored just eight points on 3-of-8 shooting.
3. Jonas Valanciunas again made an impact off the bench, scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds in 21 minutes. He flexed his muscles after a takedown of Greg Monroe and being fouled hard by Middleton on the other end, leading to a brief tussle with Monroe. Both players received technical fouls. Monroe had 11 points but just two rebounds in 22 minutes.
UP NEXT
What: Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks, Game 6 of an Eastern Conference first-round series (Toronto leads, 3-2).
When: 6 or 7 p.m. Thursday*
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center
Broadcasts: TNT or NBA TV, FS Wisconsin
BUCKS-RAPTORS SCHEDULE (All times Central)
Eastern Conference first-round series (best of seven)
Saturday, April 15 - Bucks 97, Raptors 83
Tuesday, April 18 - Raptors 106, Bucks 100
Thursday, April 20 - Bucks 104, Raptors 77
Saturday, April 22 - Raptors 87, Bucks 76
Monday, April 24 - Raptors 118, Bucks 93 (Raptors lead series, 3-2)
Thursday, April 27 - Game 6 at Milwaukee, 6 or 7 p.m.* (FSW)
Saturday, April 29 - Game 7 at Toronto, TBD (TNT, FSW), if necessary
* Game 6 will be at 6 p.m. if the Houston-Oklahoma City series is finished; otherwise game time will be 7 p.m.