NBA Cup: Without Damian Lillard, Bucks handle Raptors

Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to get past Toronto Raptors’ Davion Mitchell during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup tournament basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Five Bucks reached double figures and Milwaukee overcame a monster night from Gradey Dick to beat the visiting Raptors 99-85 on Tuesday night in the first NBA Cup game for each team.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 23 points and seven assists. Bobby Portis had 17 off the bench.

Dick, the 20-year-old second-year pro from Kansas, finished with a career high 32 points for Toronto. Jakob Poeltl scored 13 and Chris Boucher added 12 for the Raptors, who never led and have lost five straight. The 85 points were the fewest they have scored all season.

READ: NBA Cup set to begin with eight group-play games

The Bucks played without star guard Damian Lillard, who sat out while in concussion protocol. He could return for Wednesday’s game against the Pistons.

Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers changed up his starting lineup, which included AJ Green and Ryan Rollins. Rollins left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. He finished with 12 points in 22 minutes. Green also finished with 12.

Dick had 22 first-half points, but Milwaukee was able to control the pace and built a 54-43 halftime lead.

Toronto opened the second half with a game-tying 11-0 run, with Dick hitting a three, RJ Barrett sinking a three, Dick hitting two free throws and Ochai Agbaji another three.

Milwaukee called a timeout and immediately responded. Taurean Prince hit a three from the corner and Antetokounmpo made two free throws to spark an 18-5 run to make it 72-59. The lead eventually grew to 21.

Toronto cut the lead to 10 in the fourth with 5:09 left on a Barrett jumper but could not get any closer.

Milwaukee made 16 of 56 three-point shots after averaging 35.4 attempts from long range coming into the contest.

Toronto reached the NBA Cup semifinals last year, losing to Indiana. –Field Level Media