Despite missing Damian Lillard, Bucks handle Raptors

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.

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

Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers changed 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 12th.

Dick had 22 points in the first half, but Milwaukee was able to control the tempo and build a 54-43 lead at halftime.

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

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 get no closer.

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

Toronto reached the NBA Cup semifinals last year, losing to Indiana.

–Field-level media