The Toronto Raptors are currently on the bubble for one of the last playoff spots in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. This is a big shock for a team that has routinely finished near the top of the league the last few years. Head coach Nick Nurse has struggled to find the right combination of players on the court, but the Raptors still have the talent to be contenders. They had a chance to prove themselves against a great team when they faced the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, February 16.
Dead Even First Half
Not much could separate these two great teams over the last few years, and the same thing could be said about last night. Despite playing in a tough road environment, the Raptors refused to let the Bucks out play them. Toronto got off to a quick eight-point lead in the opening four minutes, but Milwaukee fought their way back into the game. The late surge by the Bucks caused the first quarter to end tied at 33.
The two teams swapped roles in a second quarter that played out nearly identical to the first. Milwaukee grabbed a 12-point lead after only four minutes of play in the quarter. The Raptors chipped away at this lead for the next eight minutes. Toronto briefly held the lead late in the first half, but the game was tied at 64 when the halftime buzzer finally went off.
Big Time Injury
The Raptors were able to orchestrate the comeback in the second quarter thanks to the great play from their guards Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet. Unfortunately, Lowry suffered an ugly ankle injury early in the third quarter that knocked him out of the game. This could have easily signaled the end of the game, but the Raptors showed a lot of resiliency without their star point guard. It was still a tied game when Lowry was forced to leave, but the Raptors fought their way to a three-point advantage by the end of the third quarter.
The team continued to play some of their best basketball of the season in the fourth quarter. The Raptors did not surrender the lead throughout the quarter. The first six minutes of the quarter were fairly even, but Toronto completely took over down the stretch. The impressive finish helped the Raptors secure a 124-113 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
What’s Upcoming for the Team
This is exactly the type of win the Raptors needed. They are far too talented to have the seventh-best record in the conference. Tuesday’s win should prove that this team can beat anyone when they play a complete game. The long-term outlook for the club will ultimately be determined by Kyle Lowry’s injury. An update on his injury should be available in a day or two. The Raptors play another game against the Bucks in Milwaukee on Thursday night. If Lowry somehow manages to suit up, he likely will not play at full strength.
