Cooked BBQ: A running diary of Toronto’s 128-104 loss to Milwaukee

For the first time this season, the Raptors were whole. For the 28th time this season, the Raptors lost.

BBQ season is officially open!

Nobody told me ‘BBQ’ meant the Raptors would be the team getting cooked!

Despite having a fully healthy lineup for the first time all season, the Toronto Raptors were blown out by the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 128-104. Giannis Antetokounmpo produced his fourth triple-double of the season with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and a season-high 13 assists. Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 25 points in only 25 minutes of action. Neither Giannis nor Dame played in the 4th quarter. Yes, it was that kind of night at Scotiabank Arena.

In his return to the lineup, RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Scottie Barnes finished with 21 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

You can already guess what kind of game this was by the final tally, so allow me to follow the lead of this site’s Editor-in-Chief, Chelsea Leite, and turn this recap into a running diary.

But first, Jamal Shead.

• Before the game, Bucks Head Coach, Doc Rivers was speaking to the media about his team’s NBA Cup championship victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. As is the case throughout the league, the focus quickly turned to OKC and, specifically, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Sportsnet’s Michael Grange asked Doc about Shai’s MVP-like season, to which Doc quipped, “Why would anyone trade a guy like that?” The room erupted in laughter because Doc was the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Clippers (and definitely had input) when they included SGA in the trade for Paul George.
• Similar to when Nikola Jokic is in town, Giannis Antetokounmpo attracts a large crowd of fans in the arena as well as throngs of media. Outside of the Raptors’ first home game and the Vince Carter jersey retirement game, the media room has never been more full.
• The excitement was palpable inside Scotiabank Arena, not only because of the Greek Freak, but because RJ Barrett was cleared to play. This would mark the first game all season that the Raptors’ starting 5 would actually see the floor together.
• The game started as you’d expect from a group that hadn’t played together in a competitive game in over 10(!) months........very clunky. The offensive flow was non-existent. Floor spacing was a term more suitable for the Property Brothers. Defensive miscues were bailed out by wayward field goal attempts. Yet, Toronto entered the first timeout with a 9-7 lead.
• Scottie Barnes was absolutely electric in the first quarter. While guarding Giannis one-on-one beyond the three-point line, Scottie perfectly timed a swipe, getting a steal and jamming a breakaway windmill dunk. A few possessions later, Giannis had deep post position on Scottie. As Giannis went up for the dunk, he was met at the rim by Scottie.

• Immanuel Quickley, all 6’3 of him, sets a pick on Gary Trent Jr. AND Bobby Portis, freeing Scottie for a driving dunk.
• Oh right. Gary’s back for his first game in Toronto as a Buck! GTJ hits an open three to give the Bucks a 14-point lead. The crowd gives a Participation Badge-like applause.
• Brook Lopez is out here hitting 30-foot three-pointers like it’s 2019. He’s already drained three triples midway through the second quarter.
• With the Raptors down 17 points, Quickley races down the court after a Portis bucket, hoping to generate a transition opportunity. In front of him is 4 Bucks and zero Raptors. Naturally, he decided to drive. Yadda yadda yadda, I miss when Kyle Lowry used to draw charges for Toronto.
• A minute later, Quickley gets trapped at the logo by a double-team (albeit, well-timed) by Giannis and Dame. He was called for a backcourt violation while trying to avoid the prying hands of the All-Star duo. It takes a special kind of miscommunication and lack of chemistry to turn the ball over in the middle of the court.
• Say what you want about the product on the court, but the Raptors organization has done an excellent job all season long of celebrating the team’s history as well as the various cultural events. Tonight’s game was the third annual game celebrating Indigenous heritage. The halftime show was a spectacular display of Indigenous song and dance.
• True story. A friend spotted me in media row. She messaged at halftime, worried that the Raptors might not give her free pizza (by not scoring 100 points). The Raptors were down 66-47. This is what I told her: “You’ll get pizza. They’ll have 75 by the end of the third and finish with 102. Fans will cheer as Shead hits a three to get them 100 points while the Bucks lead by 30.”
• The second half started the same way the first half ended. Toronto misses on its first two possessions. Dame hits a contested three. The Raptors then turn the ball over as Barnes and IQ run a dribble hand-off at the halfcourt line and get called for a backcourt violation. It takes a special kind of miscommunication and lack of chemistry to turn the ball over in the middle of the court.

• The Bucks had turnovers on 4 consecutive possessions.......and grew the lead!
• In the span of 90 seconds, Andre Jackson had an offensive rebound that led to a Lillard jumper. Another offensive rebound that led to a Lillard three. A wide open layup that he’d forego because he found an open Taurean Prince in the corner, who subsequently knocked down the three.
• RJ HITS A TRANSITION THREE TO CUT THE LEAD TO 24
• Seriously, I love everything Andre Jackson has been doing in this quarter.
• Raps made approximately 10 passes and used almost all of the 24-second shot clock to end up with a Bruce Brown missed corner three. The Bucks grabbed the rebound and got an open corner three from Trent Jr. in 2 passes and under 8 seconds.
• Prediction update: The Raptors end the third quarter.....with 75 points!
• Bobby Portis three-pointer in transition gives Milwaukee a 31-point lead with under 10 minutes remaining, prompting a timeout from Darko Rajakovic. It would not be a surprise to start seeing fans file for the exits......until you remember half the crowd is wearing Antetokounmpo jerseys.
• I see the breaking point was close. Just 3 minutes later, another timeout and a 29-point deficit now prompt the fans to head for the exits (yes, even the Giannis fans).
• Prediction update: Ja’Kobe Walter hits a 3-pointer to presumably give the Raptors 102 points....but he’s called out of bounds. On the next possession, Gradey Dick is fouled and knocks down the first free throw to give the Raptors 100 points. The remaining fans go crazy.....as the Raptors trail by 22.
• You can now call me Jay-stradamus

After the game, the Raptors unofficially waived Bruno Fernando (still waiting on official word from Raptors PR as of this writing) as today was the last day to waive him before his contract was guaranteed.

Between now and next month’s trade deadline (February 6), Toronto will cycle through 10-day contracts while seeing various Raptor names emerge in various trade rumours.

The Raptors now head out for a 3-game road trip against more Eastern Conference foes with playoff aspirations. With the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Detroit Pistons on deck, will the BBQ trio cook up anything other than a blowout loss?