Raptors end ugly 15-game losing streak by besting Bucks in Milwaukee

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During the Raptors’ horrific losing streak, they’ve been blown out, completely run out of the gym and looking out of sorts when forced to field inferior lineups.

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As bad as they’ve played and as hopeless as they’ve looked, they did not look disjointed or disinterested Friday night when they actually gave themselves a chance to a win on a night when some semblance of a starting group took to the floor against a very beatable Milwaukee Bucks team.

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With 2:14 left in the evening, Toronto held a 107-106 lead, responding each time when the Bucks went on runs and appeared to seize the game’s momentum.

This was as close to a playoff atmosphere the Raptors have experienced in what seems like months.

Toronto caught a break when Damian Lillard fouled out, leaving the game after scoring 36 points.

For once, the Raptors were fully engaged, never backing down and bringing a sustained level of intensity that has gone completely missing amid this extended period of misery.

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Darko Rajakovic finally got to coach in a game and design plays with a win riding in the balance.

Toronto hadn’t won since March 3 when Charlotte came to town and was then forced to endure a brutal 15-game losing streak as it inched closer to tying the franchise low reached in the club’s third season when a 17-game losing streak punctuated a 16-win campaign in 1997-98.

Full credit to the Raptors in executing as close to playing a complete game in beating the Bucks, 117-111, as Milwaukee continues to teeter on the brink.

The Raptors can finally exhale and will be able to return home with their heads held high as they close out the home portion of their schedule.

Two nights earlier in Minneapolis, the Raptors, playing the back end of a back-to-back, scored a total of 85 points in getting blown out by the Timberwolves, who handed Toronto its most lopsided loss in franchise history.

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Friday night, the Raptors reached the 85-point total with 2:26 left in the third quarter.

Needless to say, Toronto played at a much higher level knowing it finally featured some decent players capable of playing at both ends.

At one point during the third period, the Raptors led by as many as 14 points, a fitting reward based on how well Toronto defended and its efficiency on the offensive end.

Toronto would take a 90-85 lead into the fourth quarter in what turned out to be a very entertaining and highly competitive night of hoops, characterizations that have not applied to any of the Raptors’ many outings.

IT’S A START

For what it’s worth, at least the Raptors started a decent starting group at Fiserv Forum.

Given the many stiffs the team has auditioned, Friday’s unit was worthy of All-NBA recognition.

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With three minutes left in Friday’s opening half, the Raptors were in a two-point game.

Toronto did a better job than Milwaukee when it came to making its shots from distance.

At intermission, the Raptors were well deserving of their 58-54 advantage, sparked by the trio of Immanuel Quickley, who came within one assist of recording a triple-double, R.J. Barrett and Gary Trent Jr.

Toronto’s most recent lead at the break came in Detroit on March 13 when the Raptors led the Pistons 57-53.

Detroit won the game, 113-104.

GRADING GRADEY

Gradey Dick is best used in a reserve role, ideally as the third wing option on a more complete roster.

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Against the Bucks, he came off the bench and looked very aggressive in a role he should be embracing once a fuller roster gets assembled, hopefully by the start of next season.

In 14 minutes, Dick’s five rebounds tied for the team high.

Against the Bucks, he showed a level of physicality.

When Milwaukee drilled a three-pointer to get the crowd engaged, Dick responded with his own make from distance.

BUCKS STOP HERE

Unless they somehow find a defensive identity, the Bucks’ post-season run is in jeopardy of being short-lived.

Consider how the Bucks had lost four of their past five games heading into Friday night’s date with the Raptors, including back-to-back setbacks to the woeful Wizards and gruesome Grizzlies.

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Doc Rivers led Milwaukee to a 15-15 record heading into the team’s tip versus Toronto after former Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin posted a 70% win percentage before the rookie head coach was shown the door.

A big reason for the coaching change was Milwaukee’s poor defensive rating.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) wasn’t unavailable Friday.

Ultimately, Milwaukee’s season will be judged when the playoffs roll around.

Jrue Holiday was sacrificed to acquire Lillard, whose real impact won’t be felt until crunch time arrives in the post-season, hence the moniker Dame Time.

Lillard, who was back in the lineup following a three-game injury absence (adductor), went mano-a-mano with Trent as the two put on a shooting clinic.

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Both reached the 30-point plateau six minutes into the fourth quarter.

Trent’s 31 points led Toronto.

Without Holiday, the Bucks have been very vulnerable on the perimeter, which explains why so many paint points were surrendered in unspeakably bad losses to Milwaukee and Memphis.

The team’s perimeter vulnerability was exposed and exploited by the Raptors as well.

Championship or bust was the prevailing theme surrounding the Bucks once the trigger was pulled to acquire Lillard from Portland.

Unless Milwaukee finds its form on both ends of the floor, it has no chance of getting out of the East, let alone capturing a championship.

Losing to such sad sacks as Washington, Memphis and Toronto does not bode well.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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