Antetokounmpo scores 19, Bucks beat Raptors 105-92

TORONTO (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 19 points, Khris Middleton had 18 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Raptors 105-92 on Thursday night, ending Toronto’s season-best home winning streak at 10 games.

D.J. Wilson scored a career-high 16 points and Eric Bledsoe had 14 as Milwaukee (37-13) clinched the season series with their third victory in four meetings with Toronto this season. The Bucks stayed atop the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Raptors (37-16).

The victory ensures the Bucks will have the best winning percentage in the East through Feb. 3, meaning Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer will represent the conference at next month’s NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Milwaukee, which has won eight of nine, had not won the season series against Toronto since 2012-13.

Pascal Siakam scored 28 points and Kawhi Leonard had 16 for the Raptors, who had not lost at home since Dec. 9 to the Bucks. Toronto’s franchise record for consecutive home victories is 12, done twice.

Serge Ibaka had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto, which has lost three of four.

Trailing by 24 points midway through the third, the Raptors fought back to 98-92 on a driving layup by Leonard at 1:59 of the fourth. After Leonard couldn’t convert a fast break on Toronto’s next possession, Antetokounmpo made a pair of free throws to push the lead back to eight with 1:24 left.

Leonard failed to extend his career-high 22-game streak of scoring at least 20 points.

Toronto came in having made at least 12 3-pointers in a season-high five straight games but missed 12 of their first 13 attempts. The Raptors shot 7 for 27 from 3-point range

Raptors guard Danny Green left after five minutes because of flu-like symptoms and did not return until the start of the third quarter. He went scoreless in 13 minutes.

Ibaka scored 10 points in the first and the Raptors led 25-22 after one. Milwaukee connected on 7 of 11 3-point attempts in the second and outscored Toronto 34-22 to lead 56-47 at halftime.

Milwakee led 78-54 on Wilson’s dunk at 6:16 of the third, but Toronto rallied to cut it to 87-76 heading to the fourth.

TIP-INS

Bucks: Eight of Milwaukee’s first 10 points came off Toronto turnovers. … Middleton was named an All-Star reserve, his first selection. … G Malcolm Brogdon returned to the starting lineup after missing Tuesday’s win at Detroit because of a bruised sternum, while G Sterling Brown returned after missing one game because of a sore right wrist.

Raptors: G Kyle Lowry was named an All-Star reserve, his fifth selection. … Lowry had missed 19 consecutive 3-point attempts against Milwaukee this season before connecting in the third. … G Malachi Richardson (right knee) was inactive.

UP NEXT

Bucks: Visit Washington on Saturday night.

Raptors: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon.