NBA: Raptors come back to beat Bucks in NBA Cup game

The short-handed Toronto Raptors rallied from 15 points down to defeat the host Milwaukee Bucks 121-107 on Friday night in an NBA Cup game highlighted by several career highs.

Coming off a dismal third-quarter performance in which they were outscored 41-15 by Denver on Wednesday, the Raptors seized control in the third quarter this time. Alijah Martin gave Toronto its first lead with a 3-pointer at the 5:41 mark. Tyler Herro put the Bucks back ahead 72-71 with his only 3-pointer of the game on the next possession.

Toronto regained the lead for good during a 9-0 run, capped by an Allen Graves layup and ensuing free throw that made it 82-79 with 2:17 remaining in the third.

Martin scored a career-high 27 points off the bench. RJ Barrett also had 27, erupting in the second half. Jamal Shead recorded 10 points and a career-high 16 assists for Toronto. Jakob Poeltl and Collin Murray-Boyles each scored 19 points, with Poeltl adding 11 rebounds.

Herro led Milwaukee with 23 points and 10 assists as the Bucks lost their fifth straight game. Rookie Brayden Burries added career highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 14 points, Kyle Kuzma scored 13, AJ Green netted 12 and Ryan Rollins added 10.

After a difficult outing Wednesday (eight points, five rebounds), Poeltl bounced back with a dominant fourth quarter, scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds to help put the game out of reach.

In addition to Kawhi Leonard (knee), who has been sidelined for nearly two weeks, Scottie Barnes (groin/adductor) and Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) were injury absences for the visitors.

Milwaukee led by 14 in the first quarter after an early scoring barrage, but a 14-3 Raptors run helped trim the deficit to 29-24 after one. The teams combined to shoot 5-for-23 from 3-point range in the quarter.

Burries scored 11 of Milwaukee's 31 points in the second quarter as the Bucks extended their lead to 60-51 at halftime.

The result marked Toronto's fourth straight win over Milwaukee.

--Field Level Media/Reuters