The Toronto Raptors had to fend off a comeback from the Milwaukee Bucks, but they were able to close things out down the stretch.
Behind a big second half from Fred VanVleet and revitalized team defence, the Raptors picked up just their third home win of the season over one of the hottest teams in the league.
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out this contest to rest, the Bucks had their eight-game win streak snapped despite a spirited push in the fourth quarter.
For more on one of the Raptors' biggest wins of the season, we have you covered with some takeaways below.
1. Bucks come up short without Giannis Antetokounmpo
For just the second time this season, the Bucks were without Antetokounmpo.
On the second night of a back-to-back, Milwaukee elected to rest its star player. He put up a near-triple-double of 40 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists to go with a game-winner against the Charlotte Hornets just a day before. Antetokounmpo logged over 37 minutes of play in that contest, his second-most in a game this season.
The Bucks lost their only other matchup without the reigning Finals MVP – an overtime nail-biter against the Boston Celtics. They've been a completely different team without Antetokounmpo on the floor this season, a jaw-dropping 39.2-point difference per 100 possessions when he is on the bench.
Moreso than anything, Milwaukee missed Antetokounmpo's offence in this one. As one of the most efficient high-volume scorers in the league, Antetokounmpo surely would have impacted the Bucks' horrendous field goal percentage, which led to just 93 points scored.
Since there was no injury to hold out Antetokounmp, expect the superstar back in action for Milwaukee's next game.
2. Raptors defence steps up again
The Raptors look like a completely different team on the defensive end over the last two games.
Prior to this two-game stretch, Toronto owned a defensive rating of 110.5, which ranked 24th in the NBA. Even in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, the Raptors made strides defensively, holding their opponent to under 100 points for just the fourth time this season. (If they had a better effort on the defensive glass, they may have come away with a win, but that's a different issue entirely).
The Grizzlies shot 38.7 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from 3, two of the lowest opponent percentages against Toronto this season.
In this contest, that same Raptors defence came to play. Granted, defending the Bucks is a lot easier when Antetokounmpo isn't playing, but they still did a great job containing Khris Middleton and shutting down everyone that wasn't Jrue Holiday (who had a team-high 26 points).
Toronto held the Bucks to just 93 points on 37.6 percent shooting from the field – both of which are among Milwaukee's lowest marks of the season.
If the Raptors can continue to defend with this level of effort, energy and activity, they'll have a good shot at turning things around early on here.
3. Fred VanVleet's third-quarter jolts clutch performance
After a strong first half, the Raptors came out flat in the second half and the Bucks may have taken a lead going into the fourth if not for VanVleet.
VanVleet had a quiet first half, recording three points on just three shots. Toronto's floor general finally got aggressive in the third quarter and the buckets came along with it, scoring 14 points in the frame on four 3s.
He was the only Raptors player to score more than five points in the quarter, acting as their only dose of offence to maintain a lead.
VanVleet stayed hot in the fourth quarter, pouring in 12 points to keep the Raptors in the driver's seat. Every time the Bucks hit a shot to cut into the lead, VanVleet seemed to be right there to answer back and keep Toronto out in front.
Like we always say
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 3, 2021
BET ON FRED pic.twitter.com/aogpxVp8mu
He finished with a game-high 29 points while shooting 9-for-17 from the field and 5-for-10 from 3.
4. Gary Trent Jr. makes his return
Trent missed the last two games with a calf strain but made his return in this one.
The 22-year-old was amidst the best season of his career prior to the injury, averaging 17.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game – all of which are career-highs.
There was some clear rust to shake off for the usual sharpshooter, going 2-for-10 from the field and 1-for-6 from 3 in the first half. He never really found his groove, finishing with eight points on 3-for-16 shooting from the field and 2-for-10 shooting from 3, but Trent still found a way to impact the game elsewhere.
He corralled eight rebounds and dished out three assists, and defensively, he brought it the same way he has all season, adding two steals and one block.
The shooting touch will come back as he gets comfortable on the floor, but Trent's defence was a welcome sight in his return for this Raptors team.
5. Scottie Barnes' confidence from 3 shines through again
Earlier this week, I detailed how Barnes is making strides in improving his biggest perceived weakness heading into the NBA Draft – his perimeter shooting.
Coming into this contest, Barnes was shooting a blistering 47.6 percent (10-for-21) from 3 over the last five games and his hot hand didn't cool off. The rookie continued to shoot with confidence, going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.
The confidence
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 3, 2021
*Chef's kiss* pic.twitter.com/6Ef7l9pvI4
Also, it's not a 3-ball, but you might want to check out this sweet fadeaway, too.
Vet move by the rook pic.twitter.com/dbgeNlD8qH
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 3, 2021
Barnes had another stuffed stat line of 13 points, seven boards, four assists, three steals and one block, including a game-saving tap-out rebound in the final seconds off of a missed free throw that could have given the Bucks a chance to tie or win the game.
6. What's next?
The Raptors will have two days off before they host the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. ET.
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