DeRozan finished with a team-high 23 points on 9 of 18 shooting, flanked by Lowry bouncing back from a brutal game with a diversified box score and 22 points.
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It had been 34 years since the Milwaukee Bucks won a Game 1 playoff road game.
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey expanded his rotation as well for Game 2.
“We can play better and we will play better”, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “He got us going, playing through that sore ankle, and without him we wouldn’t have got this win tonight”.
Another Game 1, another shocking playoff defeat for the Toronto Raptors.
“He set the tone for everyone offensively and defensively, and just understanding he came out aggressive, he didn’t wait”, Kidd said. Third-string guard Delon Wright played an important role in Tuesday’s game as well, logging 8 1/2 minutes in the second quarter.
Maker started the game and had four points, three rebounds and three blocks in 15 minutes while Dellavedova came off the bench for 11 points in 31 minutes.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the fans”, Monroe said. “Once you get going, your vehicle feels like a 2016 Lexus or something”.
DeMar DeRozan led Toronto with 27 points, and Serge Ibaka had 19 points and 14 rebounds.
On Saturday afternoon, Antetokounmpo got his second audition in the playoffs, as Milwaukee opened their first round series against the Raptors in Toronto. “He’s our guy, he’s our All-Star”, said Casey. “We’ve been there before”. Jonas Valanciunas added 10 points and 10 boards, and Cory Joseph chipped in with 11 points. Milwaukee stole a game in Toronto and now look to defend home court.
Casey reacted to Game 1’s let down with a combination of loyalty to who got him here and adjusting to who gave him the best shot at winning.
Lowry said Saturday’s poor night felt “like deja vu all over again”. Middleton finished the third-quarter scoring with two free throws and Milwaukee led 75-70. Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, who troubled the Raps endlessly on Saturday by racing out in transition, was held to two points in the first quarter on 1-of-6 shooting.
If it weren’t for the unbelievable 42 triple-doubles of Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook, not to mention the 22 of the Houston Rockets’ James Harden, Bucks coach Jason Kidd believes Antetokounmpo would be squarely in the Most Valuable Player discussion. Yet they just barely escaped with a win. Chicago’s second unit had its biggest impact at the start of the second quarter, going on a 10-0 to put the Bulls in front.
DeRozan made a pull-up jumper to give Toronto a two-point lead with 1:43 left.
The Bucks shot 45 per cent on the night while holding Toronto to 36 per cent. Milwaukee hit nine of their 23 three-point attempts, while Toronto made good on just five of their 23 attempts.
The Bucks took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter and stretched it to 14 after four minutes. The Raptors missed nine of their 33 free throws.
Ibaka made a jumper to put Toronto up three but Antetokounmpo answered with a 3-pointer, tying it at 100-all with 2:03 left.
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There’s a concern here for Toronto, a 28-13 team at home this season. DeMarre Carroll and P.J. Tucker need to do a better job of limiting Antetokounmpo.
