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Raptors: Fred VanVleet leads surprise win over mighty Bucks

By Nickeem Khan

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 16: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 16, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 16: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 16, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Fred VanVleet and Toronto Raptors had one of their most impressive games of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 124-113 win on Tuesday night. Not only was it one of the best performances of the season, but it showed that the Raptors can play like the team of last year that had the second-best record in the NBA last season, which is a great sign going forward.

After coming off of a disappointing loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Raptors responded accordingly against the Bucks. From the get-go, Toronto played with much more intensity than they did on Sunday, which led to the Raptors playing their brand of basketball.

Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, elected to go with a small-ball lineup, bringing Aron Baynes off the bench, with the return of OG Anunoby. This decision proved to very beneficial in favor of Nurse’s squad.

With Kyle Lowry exiting the game with an ankle injury, Toronto didn’t fold at all. Their great play was spearheaded by none other than VanVleet.

Fred VanVleet led the Raptors to a win

VanVleet finished the game with 33 points and seven assists, putting the stamp on yet another performance solidifying his case for being an All-Star. Mid-range jumpers, finishes at the rim, or even long-distance bombs, VanVleet was finding his spots on the floor.

The addition of having Anunoby back on the floor was a premium for Toronto. The Raptors defense looked much more composed with OG on the floor, and helped Toronto turn defense into offense.

Anunoby continued to get stop after stop against the Bucks All-Star duo, in Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak was dominant as he always is, but Toronto did a marvelous job on Middleton, who only attempted eight shots and finished with 11 points. The Raptors forced the Bucks to go stretch of almost four minutes straight without a field goal.

Pat Connaughton had a career game with 20 points, however, Toronto made it clear that they wanted anyone but Giannis and Middleton to beat them. Down the stretch, however, it came down to the Raptors making winning plays, while the Bucks were unable to execute their offense against Toronto’s suffocating defense.

Despite each push made by Milwaukee, Toronto responded accordingly, not giving one inch to the team who is now the third seed in the eastern conference. The Raptors deserve a lot of credit for their late-game execution, and the adversity they put on display by playing as hard as they did without the heart and soul of their team in Lowry.

Toronto will be back at it against the Bucks on Thursday night, looking to replicate the same result as of Tuesday night.

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