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Toronto Raptors: Grades following 108-97 loss to East-leading Bucks

By Jordan Skuse

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors grabs a rebound as George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors grabs a rebound as George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors, in what was a highly anticipated game between two Eastern Conference powerhouses, fell 108-97 to the Milwaukee Bucks. Here are the grades from Toronto’s 16th loss of the 2019-20 season.

The Toronto Raptors will see the Milwaukee Bucks twice before the regular season wraps up, but give the forest-dwelling deers round one of the best-of-three series.

Trailing by two at halftime, Milwaukee took a 13-point lead into the fourth quarter after outscoring Toronto in the third stanza by a score of 34-19. The Bucks were led by Khris Middleton‘s 22 points.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists. The Greek Freak recorded three blocks as well, also making two of his four attempts from beyond the arc. Dominant mostly every second he was on the floor, Antetokounmpo is going to be tough to stop in the playoffs – it’s going to take some next-level innovation on the part of Nick Nurse and his staff to devise a plan capable of slowing No. 34 down, though, two summers from now, depending on how things shake out, coach Nurse could have very different plans.

In a losing effort, Toronto was led by Pascal Siakam – he finished with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, but missed eight of 14 shot attempts while committing four turnovers. Off the bench, both Chris Boucher and Terence Davis finished with 10 points, with Matt Thomas adding nine points on three-of-five shooting from beyond the arc.

A disappointing result for the Raptors in this game, sure, but all was not lost for Toronto on this night. There is still plenty of time for the defending champs to right the wrongs from tonight’s defeat and prepare to author a better fate against the league’s most dominant squad.

Now let’s talk grades:

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