The defending champions are in town.
For the first time this season, the Toronto Raptors will face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks got off to a slow start this season but are back at full strength and have won eight straight games entering Thursday's contest, making them the second-hottest team in the league.
Milwaukee is coming off of a thrilling win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, in which Antetokounmpo put on a show with a near 40-point triple-double. He also played the hero down the stretch with a game-winning layup.
Antetokounmpo is now averaging 27.6 points, 11.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game on the season.
A near-triple double for Giannis tonight!!
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 2, 2021
40 PTS | 12 REB | 9 AST | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/LtZDu3Xzmy
The win improved the Bucks to 14-8 on the season, tying them with the Washington Wizards (14-8) for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. They now trail the Brooklyn Nets (15-6) for the best record in the conference by only 1.5 games.
The Raptors will be short-handed when they host the Bucks, as OG Anunoby (left hip pointer) and Khem Birch (right knee swelling) have both been ruled out.
The Raptors are looking to end a three-game losing streak following losses to the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies.
This is game No. 3 of a seven-game homestand for the Raptors. Toronto is 7-5 on the road this season compared to 2-8 at Scotiabank Arena.
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What channel is Raptors vs. Bucks on?
- TV channel: TSN (Canada), BSWI or League Pass (United States)
- Radio: TSN 1050
MORE: How Giannis and Masai Ujiri are forever linked
What time does Raptors vs. Bucks start?
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 2
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
MORE: Can Raptors get back on track in December?
Raptors vs. Bucks injury report
| Team | Player | Status | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raptors | Anunoby, OG | Out | Injury/Illness - Left Hip; Pointer |
| Birch, Khem | Out | Injury/Illness - Right Knee; Swelling | |
| Dragic, Goran | Out | Not With Team | |
| Trent Jr., Gary | Questionable | Injury/Illness - Right Calf; Contusion | |
| Bucks | NOT YET SUBMITTED |
Raptors next five games
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Venue |
| Thursday, Dec. 2 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Sunday, Dec. 5 | vs. Wizards | 6:00 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Wednesday, Dec. 8 | vs. Thunder | 7:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Friday, Dec. 10 | vs. Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Monday, Dec. 13 | vs. Kings | 7:00 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
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