The Toronto Raptors made a putrid Milwaukee roster look like a million Bucks

The Toronto Raptors faced significant challenges in their first group play game of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup against a struggling Milwaukee Bucks team on November 12. Despite Milwaukee's lackluster performance this season, the Raptors allowed them to shine, making the Bucks resemble their previous prime form.

Although they showed glimpses of a potential comeback, Toronto ultimately fell short, losing 85-99 and concluding their road trip without a victory.

The Raptors encountered difficulty in finding their footing, struggling to establish any rhythm throughout the game. Their lack of cohesion was highlighted by a high number of turnovers, which disrupted their offensive flow and hindered their defensive efforts. This disorganization on the court enabled Milwaukee, even without key players like Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, to capitalize on the Raptors' mistakes and maintain control of the game.

Among the most surprising performances of the night were the contributions from Milwaukee's Ryan Rollins and AJ Green. Both players, typically not considered primary difference-makers for the Bucks, each scored 12 points, demonstrating a level of proficiency that left Raptors fans scratching their heads in disbelief. Rollins connected on four three-pointers and made five unexpected steals, while Green delivered a three-point showcase of his own. Their performances highlighted the Raptors' struggles to contain these unfamiliar threats on such a significant stage as the NBA Cup.

The Raptors allowed two relative unknowns to shine like stars

The Raptors' young gun, Gradey Dick, stood out as the team's lone bright spot. He delivered a career-high 32-point performance, demonstrating determination and skill on both ends of the floor. While his 35% field goal percentage may appear concerning, Dick consistently attacked the basket, demonstrated poise under pressure, and earned 16 trips to the free-throw line. However, even his aggressive efforts were overshadowed by the collective performance of the team, raising concerns about the Raptors' competitive edge.

Throughout the game, the Raptors exhibited a noticeable lack of energy, compounding their struggles on the court. They were unable to match the intensity of the Milwaukee Bucks, leading to a stark contrast in performance.

While Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't have a dominant game by his usual standards, he still made his presence felt, finishing with a noteworthy stat line of 23 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. His ability to impact the game, even when he wasn't the primary focus, highlights the difficulties the Raptors encountered against the rest of the Bucks' roster.

As the game neared its conclusion, the Raptors showed a brief glimmer of hope with a late surge. A 12-1 scoring run less than six minutes remaining trimmed the Bucks' lead to ten points, but it ultimately proved insufficient. This momentary resurgence underscored the need for the Raptors to deliver a complete performance from start to finish in order to secure victories in critical matchups.

Another area of concern for the Raptors was their perimeter defense. The Bucks took an impressive 94 shot attempts, with 61% of those coming from beyond the arc, underscoring Milwaukee’s heavy reliance on three-point shooting. The Raptors struggled to contest shots and effectively close out on shooters, leaving them vulnerable and allowing the Bucks to dictate the game’s tempo while scoring with relative ease.

Simply put, the Raptors' margin for error is dwindling with each loss, and the early signs of brilliance from an overachieving roster are increasingly overshadowed by their persistent shortcomings.