Who's playing
Matchup: Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors
Records: Bucks (16-8), Raptors (21-6)
Where to watch
Date: Sunday, December 9
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
TV: TSN 4
Radio: TSN 1050
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Game preview
The Toronto Raptors dropped a tough overtime game 106-105 against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday for their second loss in three games. Aside from the loss, Kawhi Leonard was incredible in the game with 32 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds, furthering the MVP campaign he's putting together.
He'll go toe-to-toe with another one of the league's top MVP candidates in Giannis Antetokounmpo. This is their first matchup this season, since both players sat out the last time these two teams faced off earlier this year.
MORE: MVP Power Rankings: Is Giannis or Kawhi MVP so far? | The evolution of Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo has been on another level so far this season, filling up the box score every night averaging 26.8 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
The Bucks, however, have waivered a bit lately. They're just 3-4 in their last seven games and are coming off of a 105-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors. It was their first game this season that they did not score over 100 points.
Despite the recent struggles they average an NBA-best 120.0 points per game, trailing only the Warriors with an offensive rating of 114.1. They also rank sixth with a defensive rating of 104.9. As for the Raptors, they're right behind the Bucks with an offensive rating of 113.1 and a defensive rating of 105.7.
Toronto will need more from their all-star point guard Kyle Lowry, who has struggled as of late. Over his last four games, he's shot 21.6 percent from the field (8-37 FG) and 18.5 percent from the perimeter (5-27 3PT), averaging just 6.3 points per game in that stretch. Prior to those four games, he was scoring 15.6 points to go with 10.2 assists per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from 3-point range.
The Raptors go as Lowry goes and they'll need him to get things back on track if they're going to continue the success they have had. This is also the final home game before a brutal four-game west coast road stretch for the Raptors, so it's important they take care of business before they head out west.
Last time they played
Date: Oct. 29, 2018
Score: Bucks 124, Raptors 109
Raptors: Serge Ibaka - 30 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one block
Bucks: Ersan Ilyasova - 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists