The Toronto Raptors extend their win streak to four games, defeating the Bucks on the road 117-111, completing an impressive second-half comeback at Fiserv Forum.
Pascal Siakam continued his recent stretch of form, scoring 33 points while OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. added 22 apiece.
The Bucks, who were without Giannis Antetokonmpo, were led by 25 points from Khris Middleton. Jrue Holiday finished with a near triple-double of 15 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.
With the win, the Raptors move to 18-17 on the season, the first time they've been above .500 since they were 7-6.
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Here are some thoughts from the buzzer…
Siakam's season-high
Pascal Siakam continues to look like his All-Star self of late, averaging 24.8 points across his past five games.
Tonight he was everywhere for the Raptors, scoring a season-high 33 points to go with six rebounds, five assists and three steals, putting his fingerprints all over the game on both sides of the floor.
It's just his third 30-point game of the season and an efficient one to boot, shooting 13-of-12 from the field, 2-of-4 from the 3-point line and 5-of-7 at the free-throw line.
Siakam was instrumental in their comeback, scoring 10 of his 33 points in the pivotal third quarter. During a crucial 14-3 run to end the period, he led a bench unit with a strong combination of scoring, playmaking and defence.
Tornado P @pskills43 | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/bMxaxUA559
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 6, 2022
Defence flips the script
After giving up 42 points in the first quarter and 77 in the first half, the Raptors were in danger of letting the Bucks run away with things.
Whatever head coach Nick Nurse said at half-time did the trick as they came out of the break with a renewed focus on the defensive end, holding the Bucks to just 11 points in the third quarter, with their jumbo lineup featuring Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa stifling the Bucks offence at every turn.
The Bucks just could not buy a bucket, going 3-of-22 from the field and 0-of-8 from the 3-point line in the third period as the Raptors went into the fourth quarter with a 92-88 lead.
That's a whole lot of red.
Freddie stays locked in
Can we get a moment for this block from Fred VanVleet!
He's been doin his plyometric training fo' sho @FredVanVleet | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/fmvittkrZA
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 6, 2022
VanVleet has been on a tear for the Raptors of late, scoring 30+ points in four of his past five games heading into tonight's contest.
While had plenty of help on the offensive end tonight, he had an efficient night shooting the ball, going 7-of-18 from the field and 5-of-10 from the 3-point line for his 19 points, adding five assists, three rebounds, two steals and that block.
The All-Star case for VanVleet is getting stronger with each game and now with the Raptors climbing the standings, now seventh in the East, it's hard to argue.
Scottie Nowitzki
On the same night as Dirk Nowitzki's jersey retirement, Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes paid tribute to the Mavs icon with his best impersonation, nailing the one-legged fadeaway.
It as a quieter night from Barnes, but he still chipped in across the board with six points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Scottie Barnes with his best Dirk Nowitzki impression! pic.twitter.com/rYgx5sW3yy
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2022
Bench struggles continue
The Raptors bench has misfired all season, ranking last in the league in points per game (24.7) .
Tonight it was much of the same as they mustered just 15 points against the short-handed Bucks, with Justin Champagnie and Precious Achiuwa scoring six apiece and Chris Boucher three.
Achiuwa did put his stamp on the game late, throwing down this huge alley-oop of the dish from Barnes.
A Precious @PreciousAchiuwa Moment pic.twitter.com/O91juIgJMR
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 6, 2022
What's next?
The Raptors return to Toronto for a three-game homestand beginning with a matchup against the Utah Jazz on Friday, Jan. 7 with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Catch you then.
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