Raptors overcome late-game offensive struggles to beat the host Milwaukee Bucks

The thought of not having Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram on the floor seems almost unthinkable.

The fact remains that both have been the offensive stalwarts this season.

The health of each player is by far the most crucial factor for this group to achieve anything of substance.

The concern Thursday night was Toronto’s inability to put away the host Milwaukee Bucks.

Still, the Raptors did lead by 10 with five minutes remaining.

Toronto would emerge with a 111-105 win, but it’s doubtful the Raptors’ second victory in a row following a four-game losing streak would have been produced had it not been for Ingram and Barnes, who do need to take better care of the rock.

The team’s best two players combined to score 53 points as Toronto went 2-0 on its mini two-game road trip.

The following are three takeaways on a night when the Raptors were without RJ Barrett (knee), who missed his 11th straight game, while fellow starter Jakob Poeltl (back) sat out for the eighth game this season.

1. Making A Point

Second-year point guard Jamal Shead continues to evolve, all the while at the same time he continues to show how much he belongs on the NBA stage.

During Monday night’s win in Miami, Shead emerged with a sparkling plus-27 rating on a night he dished off 10 assists and turned the ball over only once.

Toronto was turnover-prone against the Heat and it carried over into Thursday night’s first quarter against the host Bucks.

In six minutes, Shead committed three turnovers, but he did record five of Toronto’s 10 assists as the Raptors punched first.

In the opening half, Shead took two shots, missing both.

Starting point guard Immanuel Quickley went 1-for-6 from the floor, but he did have six assists.

The Raptors did not make a single trip to the free throw line, while the Bucks converted on 10 of their 12 forays to the charity stripe.

Of Toronto’s 44 heaves, half were hoisted beyond the three-point arc.

Two minutes into the second half and the Bucks would take their first lead of the night.

One minute later and the Raptors would attempt their first free throw.

As for Shead, the biggest point he made involved his defence and leadership.

Down the stretch, the Raptors went with a two-point-guard look.

2. Giannis Breaks Silence

For the first time since word spread of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s alleged unhappiness with the Bucks, the Greek Freak spoke.

What he said prior to Thursday night’s tip didn’t provide any clarity on his future as he continues to deal with a calf sprain that has sidelined the two-time MVP and NBA champion since Dec. 3.

With Antetokounmpo in the lineup, the Bucks went 9-8.

Without him, the Bucks were 2-8 heading into their meeting with the Raptors.

It’s his future that continues to make headlines around the association.

He’s in the first year of a $175-million US contract.

The trade rumours won’t disappear, despite what Antetokounmpo said Thursday.

“If my agent is talking to the Bucks about it…he can have any conversations he wants. I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks,” he told reporters.

“I am still locked in, locked in on my teammates. Most importantly, locked in on me getting back healthy.”

3. Mamu Minutiae

It was a homecoming of sorts for Sandro Mamukelashvili, an undersized centre whose primary skill can be found on the perimeter.

His NBA journey began in Milwaukee when the Bucks, who were coming off an NBA championship, selected Mamukelashvili with the 54th overall pick in the 2021 draft.

He played 54 games during the span of two seasons for the Bucks.

Against his former team, Mamukelashvili started for the Raptors at centre.

It was his third start of the season.

On his first open look, Mamukelashvili drilled a three-pointer to cap off a 10-0 Toronto run

He then showed his ball handling and play-making skills to trigger a sequence that ended with an Ingram basket.

Mamukelashvili ended up guarding Gary Trent Jr. on a switch a few minutes later.

The former Raptor made a tough shot over Mamukelashvili.

Then came Mamukelashvili’s ability to roll to the basket followed by his ability to put the ball on the floor.

Eight minutes into the night and the full Mamukelashvili experience was on display.

He scored 14 points in 14 minutes en route to an 18-point night.

Another player thrust into the starting group was Ochai Agbaji, who had some encouraging moments.

Up Next

A big test awaits with the Boston Celtics providing the opposition Saturday night when hoops takes centre stage at Scotiabank Arena; when the C’s visited Toronto earlier in the month, the visitors led by as many as 23 points in a 121-113 win; Jaylen Brown poured in 30 points, while Derrick White netted 14 of his 27 points in the opening 12 minutes.