Week In Review: Bucks keep rolling, Giannis Antetokounmpo style

Feb 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jerryd Bayless (19) dribbles the ball around Toronto Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) during the first half at Air Canada Centre. The Bucks won 82-75. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Monday, Feb. 2: Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors

Milwaukee entered Toronto on a three-game winning streak and were looking for a big win against a top eastern conference opponent.  The last time Milwaukee entered Toronto in late November, they were on a three game winning streak looking for a big win against a top eastern conference opponent.  They lost that game 124-82.  This week went a little better.

The Bucks defeated the Raptors 82-75.

As if playing in Toronto wasn’t hard enough, the Bucks had to endure another injury before tipoff.  Leading scorer Brandon Knight was out for Monday’s game due to quad soreness.  Milwaukee entered the game with nine active players.  By the end of the first half they were at eight.

Guard O.J. Mayo was ejected in the second quarter due to two consecutive technical fouls.

Despite the ejection, Milwaukee was still up six at halftime due to some stingy defense.  Milwaukee held Toronto to just 14 points and 25 percent shooting in the first quarter.

Then, in the fourth quarter, Milwaukee was the one struggling to score the ball.  The Bucks blew a fifteen point lead in the fourth quarter and Toronto ended up tying the game.  Milwaukee didn’t score a point for almost nine minutes in the fourth quarter, allowing Toronto to catch up.

Milwaukee’s defense picked up the slack after the blown lead, holding Toronto scoreless for the last three minutes of the game to close out the game, despite Milwaukee scoring nine points in the fourth.

While the game was won with Milwaukee’s defense, Giannis was able to post his second straight double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in 34 minutes of play.

Khris Middleton was the offensive hero in a low scoring game for the Bucks, managing 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting.

Monday night showed how much Milwaukee relies on the jump shot.  They have no real interior threat besides John Henson, who can only provide so much right now.

Monday night was a perfect example of how Milwaukee wins most games; jump shots and defense.

The win put Milwaukee at 26-22 on the year.  Their next game was Wednesday night, at home, against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Next: The Lake Show Runs Late