FINAL SCORE: MILWAUKEE BUCKS 108, TORONTO RAPTORS 97 DATE: FEBRUARY 25, 2020 ATTENDANCE: 19,993 (Sellout) FINAL SCORE RECORD HIGH POINTS HIGH REBOUNDS HIGH ASSISTS Milwaukee 108 50-8 Middleton – 22 Antetokounmpo – 19 Antetokounmpo – 8 Toronto 97 42-16 Siakam – 22 Hollis-Jefferson – 8 Lowry – 6 KEY RUN Trailing 60-57 early in the third, Milwaukee went on an 18-4 run to lead by 11 points with 3:09 remaining in the quarter … The Bucks outscored Toronto 34-19 in the third quarter and led 84-71 entering the fourth. KEY STAT Milwaukee held Toronto to .352 (31-for-91) shooting from the field, including .326 (14-for-43) in the second half … The Raptors are 5-6 this season when they shoot below 40 per cent from the floor. RAPTORS NOTES: • With the loss, Toronto falls to 42-16 this season and 23-8 at home … Tonight’s defeat ends the Raptors’ nine game home winning streak … Toronto is now 7-2 in the month of February … The Raptors finish a four-game homestand (Feb. 21-28) Friday night vs. the Charlotte Hornets. • Toronto outscored the Bucks 15-10 on the fast-break … The Raptors have scored more fast-break points than their opponent in each of their last 12 games. • The Raptors shot .346 (18-for-52) from 3-point range … Toronto’s 52 3-point attempts were a single game franchise record. • Pascal Siakam finished with 22 points and six rebounds in 38 minutes … Siakam has scored 20+points in five of the last six games, averaging 25.0 points during this span. • Terence Davis scored in double figures for the third straight game with 10 points off the bench. • The Raptors had six players score double figures – Siakam (22), Fred VanVleet (14), OG Anunoby (11), Kyle Lowry (10), Davis (10) and Chris Boucher (10). BUCKS NOTES: • With the win, Milwaukee improves to 50-8 on the season and 23-5 on the road … The Bucks have won four in a row and nine of their last 10 games … Milwaukee’s next game is Friday night at home when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder. • The Bucks are a perfect 8-0 this season in the second game of a back-to-back set.
• Milwaukee has scored 100+ points in 82 straight games – now the third longest streak in NBA history. • Khris Middleton scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half … Middleton has scored 20 or more in 11 of the last 12 games, averaging 26.8 points during this stretch. • Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his 47th double-double of the season with 19 points and 19 rebounds – one shy of his season high – in 38 minutes. • The Bucks had four players score in double digits – Middleton (22), Antetokounmpo (19), Eric Bledsoe (17) and Brook Lopez (15).
Yeah, a lot of things. We get scored on first and we don’t let it snowball. I thought we just gathered ourselves and made a couple little tactical adjustments that the guys caught on to quickly. I thought it turned the game for us in the first period there. So we’ve got ourselves the lead and then gave it up, then came back and built an even bigger lead. Just a lot of really good things. Then the third period, we just have to — you know that they’re going to have a really strong push and it’s important for us to not crack. They get the one and we stayed with it even shorthanded on the back end. Some guys battled really hard. A lot of really positive things for us in terms of winning a close game.
On if he feels a game like tonight is how the team grows:
I certainly do. I’ve said we talked about, it’s that feeling, it’s going through it, it’s finding a way, it’s losing a leader in the back end in Jake Muzzin. Just finding a way to get it done and not cracking. I thought we did a good job. They had a push, they threw a lot of pucks at our net in that third period, but I think if you were to go through it you would see there wasn’t a whole lot of quality in terms of scoring chances or anything like that. The guys did a nice job of protecting the net and Freddie made solid saves and didn’t let anything get in at the end there for us. A lot of really good things — the penalty kill, power play.
On the severity of Muzzin’s injury:
We don’t know. We’re going to have to see how it is here tomorrow and kind of go from there. He obviously wasn’t well enough to return. We’ll give it tonight and get more information tomorrow.
FREDERIK ANDERSEN (26 SAVES)
On the performance of the defence after losing Muzzin for the third period:
Yeah, I thought we did a really good job of just kind of covering up for each other and playing hard. I think throughout the whole group was great today. The PK was great, we generated some offence off of that and some huge momentum and then the power play did their thing, so it was a great game overall.
On Nylander’s goal:
I didn’t see it until after, but it was pretty special. I think it just creates extra reach for him and you don’t really expect it so not everyone can pull that off but good for Willy. It’s pretty.
TYSON BARRIE (2 ASSISTS)
On tonight’s win:
I think it was great. I think we played a really solid game. We had a good response to what happened to us last week. It shows a lot of character in this team, and then having [Muzzin] go down and the guys just kind of battling and grinding out a third period is a really good sign for us.
On what he liked best about tonight’s performance:
I think just the way that we responded to some adversity. We’ve got guys go down and they make a big push in the third, but we don’t break like we have in the past. Everyone just kind of mucked it up there at the end and we got the two points, which is what we need right now.
WILLIAM NYLANDER (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)
On his goal:
I didn’t really have time to think, it just kind of happened, but it was a nice to put one in, that’s for sure.
On the play Mitch Marner made to get him the puck:
He had a good stick there and then he waited him out. He put his stick to the inside, so he was able to feed it down to me, which was great because I had some space down there by myself.
On if he was trying to elevate the shot:
Yeah, I can’t really see anything so I’m going by feel. But obviously, yeah, you have to get it up there you want to score. Vasilevskiy is good along the ice, so you’ve got to get it up.
JOHN TAVARES (2 GOALS)
On what he liked about tonight’s win:
Just sticking with it. We didn’t get down. We didn’t get away from the way we needed to play when things didn’t go our way. We did a lot of good things tonight, in terms of the way we want to play the game, to our identity. Also, just this time of year, it’s a battle out there each and every shift. Just staying with it and understanding that it’s not always pretty but just digging in, playing hard, playing as a group, sticking with it, doing what we need to do. It’s one game, so build on it and obviously each game only gets more important as we go.
On how tough it is to see Jake Muzzin suffer an injury:
Yeah, he’s such a key player for us. He’s been playing great. No question it’s a big loss, but at the same time we can’t hang our heads and think ‘why us?’ As a group, collectively, we’ve got to all continue to step up and fill that void and continue to play better. When guys get more opportunity, that’s their chance to take advantage of it, relish it and thrive with it.
Jake Muzzin put the Maple Leafs on the board at 12:48 of the first period. Muzzin has points (3-5-8) in six consecutive games. He has a goal and an assist in two games against the Lightning this season. Four of his six goals have come on the road in 2019-20.
John Tavares scored the second Toronto goal of the game on the power play at 16:42 of the first period before notching the third Maple Leafs goal of the night at 12:25 of the second period. Tonight’s game is his fourth multi-goal and 17th multi-point performance of 2019-20. He has goals (2) in two consecutive games and points (2-2-4) in three consecutive games. He has 17 points (10-7-17) in 17 games against Atlantic Division teams.
William Nylander registered the lone assist on Tavares’ second period goal before scoring the fourth Toronto goal of the game on the power play at 14:21 of the second period. Nylander has points (2-3-5) in four consecutive games. Tonight’s game is his 12th multi-point game of 2019-20. He has 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 31 road games this season.
Jason Spezza registered the primary assist on Muzzin’s first period goal. Spezza has three assists over his last five games. He has registered 16 (5-11-16) of his 24 points on the road this season. He has 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists) in 48 career games against Tampa Bay.
Frederik Gauthier picked up the secondary assist on Muzzin’s first period goal. Gauthier has registered 11 points (6-5-11) in 55 games this season. He has recorded six points (2-4-6) in 19 games against Atlantic Division opposition.
Tyson Barrie recorded the primary assist on Tavares’ first period goal and later had the secondary assist on Nylander’s second period goal. Barrie has assists (4) in two consecutive games. Tonight’s game is his seventh multi-assist and 11th multi-point game of 2019-20. His seven multi-assist games are tied for the eighth-most among NHL defencemen.
Auston Matthews had the secondary assist on Tavares’ first period goal. Matthews has three points (1-2-3) over his last four games. His first period assist gives him 74 points (43 goals, 31 assists), which establishes a new single-season career-high for points, surpassing his previous high of 73 established in 2018-19. He has 20 points (12-8-20) in 20 games against Atlantic Division opposition.
Mitch Marner registered the primary assist on Nylander’s second period goal. Marner has two assists over his last three games. He has two assists in two games against Tampa Bay in 2019-20. In 23 road games this season, he has recorded 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists). He ranks ninth among NHLers in assists (47) and tied for eighth among NHLers in primary assists (30).
Frederik Andersen stopped 26 shots to earn the victory.
The Maple Leafs went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 2-for-4 on the power play tonight.
Travis Dermott and Kasperi Kapanen were on the ice for a team-high 13 shot attempts at 5-on-5 tonight. Dermott finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 54.2 (13 for, 11 against), while Kapanen had a team-high 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 61.9 percent (13 for, 8 against).
Auston Matthews won 60 percent (3 won, 2 lost) of his defensive zone faceoffs.
Jake Muzzin (Hand) left tonight’s game and did not return.
John Tavares was 3-for-5 (60%) in the faceoff circle when taking offensive zone draws.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Thursday, February 27, 7:00 p.m. at Florida Panthers (TSN4, FAN 590)
Saturday, February 29, 7:00 p.m. vs. Vancouver Canucks (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Tuesday, March 3, 10:30 p.m. at San Jose Sharks (Sportsnet Ontario, FAN 590)
Thursday, March 5, 10:30 p.m. at Los Angeles Kings (Sportsnet Ontario, TSN 1050
Friday, March 6, 10:00 p.m. at Anaheim Ducks (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Jason Spezza (47), John Tavares (34), Morgan Rielly (26)
GOALS:
Jason Spezza (23), John Tavares (11), Kyle Clifford (4), Auston Matthews (4)
ASSISTS:
Jason Spezza (32), John Tavares (24), Cody Ceci (7), Morgan Rielly (7)
POINTS:
Jason Spezza (55), John Tavares (35), Three players tied (10)
PENALTY MINUTES:
John Tavares (18), Jason Spezza (18), Kyle Clifford (13)
MAPLE LEAFS – LIGHTNING TEAM STATS
TORONTO
TAMPA BAY
GOALS FOR (Rank):
219 (t-1st)
219 (t-1st)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
206 (28th)
171 (8th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
41/172 [23.8%] (3rd)
44/186 [23.7%] (4th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
134/176 [76.1%] (26th)
166/201 [82.6%] (7th)
SHOTS (Rank):
2090 (5th)
1937 (18th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
3166 (2nd)
2804 (13th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
52.3% (6th)
52.4% (5th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.9% (3rd)
50.7% (9th)
MAPLE LEAFS – LIGHTNING NOTES
First Matchup between Clubs:
October 15, 1992 vs. Tampa Bay (Toronto 5, Tampa Bay 3)
All-Time Record:
54-35-2-7 (98 Games)
All-Time Record at Home:
28-18-1-3 (50 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road:
26-17-1-4 (48 Games)
Last Win vs. Opponent on the Road:
January 17, 2019 (Toronto 4, Tampa Bay 2)
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. LIGHTNING
Zach Hyman
First NHL game (February 29, 2016 vs. Tampa Bay)
Kasperi Kapanen
First NHL game (February 29, 2016 vs. Tampa Bay)
William Nylander
First NHL game (February 29, 2016 vs. Tampa Bay)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
43 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
46 (Marner)
POINTS
73 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
23 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs
40 (Muzzin)
SHOTS
254 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
57.0% (Gauthier)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
54.9% (Nylander)
BLOCKED SHOTS
110 (Muzzin)
TAKEAWAYS
69 (Matthews)
HITS
108 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
24:15 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:05 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME
2:50 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS SNAPSHOTS
Faceoffs
– The Maple Leafs rank third among NHL teams in faceoff win percentage (52.9%) and are third among NHL teams in offensive zone faceoff win percentage (54.0%).
Goals by Period
– Toronto ranks third in the NHL in goals scored in the second period (82) and seventh in the NHL in goals scored in the third period (73).
Power Play
– The Maple Leafs are the lone NHL team to score at least 40 power play goals (41) with fewer than 175 power play opportunities.
Penalty Kill
– Toronto has been shorthanded 176 times this season, which is tied the eighth-fewest times shorthanded in the NHL.
Scoring First
– Toronto has a .759 win percentage when scoring first, which is tied for the fifth highest in the NHL.
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Tied for fifth among NHL goaltenders in wins (25).- Ranks fifth in the NHL in saves (1,297).- Has a save percentage of .915 in 19 games played on one day rest.
Tyson Barrie
– Has six multi-assist games, which is tied for 11th-most among NHL defencemen.- Tied for sixth among NHL defencemen in multi-point games (10). – Averages 14.85 shot attempts per game at 5-on-5, which is the fourth-highest average among NHL defencemen who have played in at least 50 games.
Jack Campbell
– Has a 3-0-1 record with a .919 save percentage and a 2.40 goals-against average since being acquired by the Maple Leafs.
Kyle Clifford
– Tied for sixth among NHL left wingers who have appeared in 50 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.5%). – Averages 15.04 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks 17th among left wingers.
Pierre Engvall
– Tied for sixth among NHL rookie forwards in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (51.7%). – Has an on-ice goals-for percentage of 55.8 percent at 5-on-5, which is the fourth highest among NHL rookie forwards who have appeared in 30 games.
Justin Holl
– Ranks second in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (52.4%) among NHL defencemen who have started less than 45 percent of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone (43.3%).- Has the highest unblocked shot attempt percentage at 5-on-5 (53.0%) among NHL defencemen to have started fewer than 45 percent (43.3%) of their shifts in the offensive zone.
Zach Hyman
– Ranks fifth among Maple Leafs skaters in points per game (0.77).- Fourth among Toronto skaters in even-strength time on ice per game (15:58).- Ranks eighth among NHL left wingers in shorthanded time on ice percentage (45.3%).
Kasperi Kapanen
– Has drawn 17 penalties this season and taken seven, which gives him the highest net penalties among Toronto skaters (+10) and ranks tied for 23rd among NHL forwards.- Ranks third among Maple Leafs and 11th among NHL right wingers who have appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.32) at 5-on-5.
Alex Kerfoot
– Ranks third among Toronto skaters who have appeared in 40 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.27) at 5-on-5.- Seventh among Maple Leafs in even-strength points (8-16-24).- Seventh among Maple Leafs in primary assists (11).
Mitch Marner
– Ninth among NHL skaters in assists (46).- Has 12 multi-assist games, which is tied for the fifth-most among NHL skaters.- Averaging 1.17 points per game, which is the 15th-highest average in the NHL.- Averaging 1.84 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is fifth among NHLers who have appeared in at least 40 games.- Tied for ninth in the NHL in primary assists (29).
Auston Matthews
– Second among NHL skaters in goals (43).- Leads the NHL with 32 even-strength goals.- Leads the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (27).- Leads the NHL in wrist shot goals (26).- Second in the NHL in multi-goal games (10).- Ranks 11th among NHL skaters in points (43-30-73).- Fourth in the NHL with 254 shots on goal.
William Nylander
– Leads the Maple Leafs in game-winning goals (5).- One of nine NHLers to average at least 14:00 minutes per game at 5-on-5 (14:31) while maintaining a goal per 60-minute rate of at least 1.20 (1.22).- Tied for ninth in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (18).- Averaging 13.08 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks ninth among NHL right wingers who average 14:00 per game at 5-on-5 (14:31).
Rasmus Sandin
– Ranks sixth among rookie defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games in points per 60 minutes of ice time (1.01) at 5-on-5. – Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 54.0 percent, which ranks fourth among rookie defencemen who have skated in at least 10 games.
Jason Spezza
– Averaging 1.98 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which is the fourth-highest average among Toronto skaters who have appeared in at least 40 games.- Averaging 0.86 goals per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which ranks fourth among Maple Leafs who have appeared in at least 40 games.- Averaging 1.11 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is the sixth-highest average among Toronto skaters.
John Tavares
– Tied for 22nd among NHL skaters in multi-point games (16).- Has 13 points (6-7-13) in 12 games during the month of February.- Ranks 15th in the NHL in faceoff wins (555)- Has 15 points (8-7-15) in 16 games against Atlantic Division teams this season.- Has recorded 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 28 games on the road this season.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Kasperi Kapanen
Has points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games.
Alex Kerfoot
Has points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games.
Jake Muzzin
Has assists (5) in four consecutive games and points (2-5-7) in five consecutive games.
William Nylander
Has points (1-2-3) in three consecutive games.
John Tavares
Has points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Zach Hyman
Five games from 300 NHL games
Kasperi Kapanen
Five games from 200 NHL games
Jason Spezza
Three assists from 600 assists
RECENT MILESTONES
Kyle Clifford
First goal as a Maple Leaf (February 18 at Pittsburgh)
Denis Malgin
First game as a Maple Leaf (February 20 vs. Pittsburgh)
William Nylander
300th NHL game (February 22 vs. Carolina)
INJURY REPORT
Cody Ceci (Ankle)
On injured reserve.
Andreas Johnsson (Knee)
On injured reserve.
Ilya Mikheyev (Wrist Laceration)
On injured reserve.
Morgan Rielly (Foot)
On injured reserve.
Man Games Lost: 168
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
February 24
Loaned defenceman Kevin Gravel to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
February 24
Acquired forward Matt Lorito from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenceman Jordan Schmaltz.
February 24
Acquired Vegas’ 2020 fifth-round pick in a three-team trade with Chicago and Vegas in exchange for forward Martins Dzierkals.
February 24
Recalled defenceman Kevin Gravel from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
February 24
Acquired defenceman Calle Rosen from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for goaltender Michael Hutchinson.
February 22
Acquired forward Miikka Salomaki from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenceman Ben Harpur.
February 19
Acquired forward Max Veronneau from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Aaron Luchuk and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
February 19
Acquired forward Denis Malgin from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Mason Marchment.
LIGHTNING BOLTS
LAST GAME Lightning 3 at Arizona 7 Tampa Bay lost back-to-back games in regulation for just the second time this season after a 7-3 defeat to Arizona at Gila River Arena Saturday in the final game of a three-game road trip…The Lightning have dropped two straight against Pacific Division teams after starting the season 10-0-0 against the Pacific…The four-goal margin of defeat was tied for the largest against the Bolts this season…The seven goals allowed by the Lightning were the most they’ve given up this season…Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 34-of-41 shots in defeat, the 41 shots tied for the second most he’s faced this season…Anthony Cirelli netted the game-opening goal at 3:53 of the first period…Ondrej Palat scored his 15th goal of the season at 8:45 of the second…Brayden Point tied the game 3-3 at 10:11 of the second…Arizona scored four unanswered goals for the 7-3 final…Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak left the game midway through the second with a lower-body injury and didn’t return. PP: TBL – 0-1 ARI – 2-5 SOG: TBL – 30 ARI – 41 Attendance: 14,825 TONIGHT’S MATCHUP The Lightning and the Maple Leafs are playing their second of four meetings this season and the first of two at AMALIE Arena…Tampa Bay earned a 7-3 win in the first meeting Oct. 10 at Scotiabank Arena, Brayden Point recording two goals and an assist in his season debut while Nikita Kucherov (2-2–4) and Steven Stamkos (1-3–4) each registered four-point nights…The Lightning have won three in a row and six of their last seven over Toronto…The Maple Leafs were 4-2 winners in their last trip to Tampa Jan. 17, 2019, Frederik Andersen making 36 saves in a game that was tied 2-2 before the Leafs scored twice to pull away…The Lightning have won three of their last four over Toronto in Tampa…Blake Coleman recorded his first career hat trick his last game vs. TOR Jan. 14, 2020 while with NJD…Alex Killorn has more career goals vs. TOR (9) than he has against any other NHL team…Nikita Kucherov has points in sixstraight games vs. TOR (5-5–10)…Victor Hedman is on a five-game point streak vs. TOR (2-4–6)…Anthony Cirelli has more career assists vs. TOR (5) than he has against any other NHL team; Cirelli had three assists in Tampa Bay’s 7-3 win over Toronto Oct. 10… Mikhail Sergachev has an assist in three-straight games vs. TOR…Andrei Vasilevskiy has three-straight wins vs. TOR and has more wins vs. TOR (11) than any other NHL team (tied w/ BUF). TONIGHT’S STORYLINES Tampa Bay begins a five-game homestand tonight, its longest homestand of the season…The Lightning are playing an Atlantic Division team for the first time since Jan. 4 at OTT…Seven of the Bolts’ next 10 games come against Atlantic Division opponents…Tampa Bay has won 14 in a row over Atlantic opponents after starting the season 2-2-0 versus the division, the 14-game win streak a franchise record for most consecutive wins against a single division (one season or multiple seasons) and tied for the seventh-longest win streak against a single division in NHL history (longest: Montreal’s 17-straight wins vs. Norris Division from 4/2/75 to 1/22/76)…The Lightning enter tonight’s contest having won 11-straight contests at AMALIE Arena, a franchise record for longest home win streak and the longest home win streak in the NHL this season…The Bolts have collected points in 13-straight home contests, tied for the longest home point streak in franchise history (also: 13-straight home games w/ a point Jan. 3, March 12, 2004)…Tampa Bay leads the NHL for total goals at home (117) and goals per game at home (4.03). INJURIES 2019-20 Man Games Lost: 80 Current injuries Erik Cernak (Lower-Body Injury; Day-to-Day) 1 Game Ryan McDonagh (Lower-Body Injury; Week-to-Week) 8 Games Cedric Paquette (Lower-Body Injury; Day-to-Day) 1 Game Jan Rutta (Lower-Body Injury; Week-to-Week) 9 Games TRANSACTIONS Feb. 24 – Re-assigned F Mitchell Stephens to AHL Syracuse Feb. 24 – Acquired F Barclay Goodrow and a 2020 third round draft pick (previously acquired from PHI) from San Jose in exchange for a 2020 first round draft pick and F Anthony Greco Feb. 24 – Re-assigned D Cameron Gaunce to AHL Syracuse Feb. 23 – Signed free agent D Zach Bogosian to a 1-year, $1.3-million contract Feb. 20 – Acquired F Anthony Greco from Florida in exchange for F Danick Martel Feb. 16 – Acquired F Blake Coleman from New Jersey in exchange for F Nolan Foote and a 2020 first round draft pick (becomes a 2021 first round draft pick if Vancouver misses the playoffs this season) Tampa Bay Lightning: Media Notes POINTING THE WAY Tampa Bay center Brayden Point scored his 22nd goal of the season Feb. 22 at ARI in his return to the lineup after missing the previous game Feb. 20 at VGK due to illness…Point saw his career-long 11-game point streak come to an end after missing the Vegas game but has put up points in the last 12 games he’s played (4-12–16)…Point’s 9 assists in February are tied for the third most he’s recorded for a month in his career (most: 14 assists in Dec. 2018). IN THE NIK OF TIME Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov tallied an assist Feb. 22 at ARI to extend his point streak to 4 games (2-3–5)…Kucherov has registered points in the last 16 games he’s played, posting 12 goals and 14 assists over that stretch (missed 1 game Feb. 13 w/ a lower-body injury, ending his career long-tying 12-game point streak)…Kucherov ranks 2nd in the NHL for scoring in 2020.
Milwaukee Bucks Korver, Kyle Out Injury/Illness – Back; Soreness Lopez, Brook Probable Injury/Illness – Back; Soreness Mason, Frank Out G League – Two-Way Reynolds, Cameron Out G League – Two-Way Wilson, D.J. Out G League – On Assignment Toronto Raptors Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain McCaw, Patrick Questionable Injury/Illness – Illness; Flu-like symptoms Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Fourth – metacarpal; fracture Watson, Paul Out G League – Two-Way
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors continue a four-game homestand (Feb. 21-28) Tuesday night when they host the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena. In the 2019 postseason, Toronto defeated Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals (4-2) en route to their first NBA Championship. Tuesday night marks the second of four meetings between the two teams this season. The Bucks won the first matchup, 115-105, in early November. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with a season-high 36 points in the loss.
• Toronto has won 17 of its last 18 games, including nine in a row at Scotiabank Arena, which ties the team’s longest home winning streak of the season. The Raptors opened the 2019-20 season with nine straight victories at home. Over the past nine home games, Toronto is averaging 125.1 points and shooting .519 (415-800) from the field, including .413 (138-334) from three-point distance.
• The Raptors defeated the Pacers 127-81 on Sunday night. The 46-point margin of victory was the largest in franchise history, eclipsing a 44-point win over Atlanta on Dec. 3, 2016. Indiana set opponent season lows for both points in a game and points in a half with just 32 at halftime.
• Kyle Lowry recorded his career-high sixth straight double-double (Feb. 5-23) with 16 points and 11 assists Sunday against the Pacers. Over his last six games, Lowry is averaging 19.3 points and 10.8 assists. Lowry now has 13 double-doubles this season – second most on the team behind Serge Ibaka (16).
• The Raptors lead the NBA in fast-break points per game (19.2). Toronto has outscored its opponent on the fast-break in each of the last 11 games (Jan. 28 – Feb. 23). The Raptors are a +160 (277-to-117) in fastbreak scoring differential during this stretch.
• Terence Davis scored in double figures for the second straight game off the bench with 13 points in 24 minutes Sunday vs. Indiana. Davis has now logged 1,003 minutes this season and becomes just the fourth undrafted rookie to play at least 1,000 minutes in a season for Toronto; along with Jose Calderon (1,487 in 2005–06), Jorge Garbajosa (1,909 in 2006–07) and Jamario Moon (2,166 in 2007–08).
• Toronto’s 42-15 record after 57 games is the best in franchise history. The Raptors have won at least 51 games each of the last four seasons after not reaching 50 wins in any of their first 20 seasons in the NBA.
• Pascal Siakam is averaging career highs of 23.7 points and 7.5 rebounds through 46 games this season. Only two players in Raptors history have finished a season averaging at least 23.0 points and 7.0 rebounds: Chris Bosh in 2009–10 (24.0, 10.8) and Kawhi Leonard in 2018–19 (26.6, 7.3).
• Nick Nurse earned his 100th win as a head coach in the NBA on Sunday. Nurse is now 100-39 as a head coach. The only active head coach to record his 100th win in fewer than 140 games is Steve Kerr, who set an NBA record by earning 100 wins in only 117 games as head coach with the Golden State Warriors.
• Toronto held the Pacers to .326 (31-95) shooting on Sunday, including .242 (8-33) from three-point range. The Raptors currently lead the NBA in opponent three-point percentage (.335). Toronto’s opponent has now missed at least 20 three-point attempts in each of the last 26 games. It’s the longest streak in the NBA of an opponent missing 20 or more shots from behind the arc since the three-point era began in 1979–80. PROBABLE STARTERS
• Totaled seven points, four rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes Feb. 23 vs. Indiana. • Toronto is 22-4 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points. • Averaging a career-high 10.2 points and shooting a career-best .499 from the field this season.
• Posted a game-high 21 points, two rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes of action Feb. 23 vs. Indiana • Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (23.7); averaging 24.0 points over the last seven games (Feb. 5-23). • Has scored 30+ points 14 times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
• Recorded his 16th double-double with 15 points and a season-high 15 rebounds Feb. 23 vs. Indiana. • Averaging 18.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 31.3 minutes in 23 games as a starter this season. • First player in NBA history with 500+ three-point field goals and 1,500+ blocks.
• Posted his sixth straight double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 assists Feb. 23 vs. Indiana. • Tied Morris Peterson (542) for second on the Raptors’ all-time games played list against the Pacers. • Tied for seventh in the NBA in assists per game (7.7); has dished out 10+ assists 13 times.
• Totaled eight points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes Feb. 23 vs. Indiana. • Ranks fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.91); has registered multiple steals in 24 games. • Has more assists than turnovers in all but two games – leads the team with a 2.95 assists to turnover ratio.
INJURY REPORT Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; tightness) – Out Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – Out Patrick McCaw (Flu-like symptoms) – Questionable Norman Powell (Left hand; fourth metacarpal – fracture) – Out
TONIGHT’S GAME DETAILS Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks Date: Tuesday, February 25 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN / TNT Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. MILWAUKEE
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2019-20
0-1 0-0 0-1
ALL-TIME
38-52 20-25 18-27
STREAKS Lost 2 Lost 3 Lost 1
LAST WIN: January 5, 2019 (123-116)
LAST HOME WIN: January 5, 2018 (129-110)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +42, November 21, 2014
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -27, November 6, 2007
LAST TIME VS. MILWAUKEE
GAME 6 – NOVEMBER 2, 2019 MILWAUKEE 115, TORONTO 105
MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 115-105 victory over the Raptors … Eric Bledsoe added 14 points and five assists, and Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez each had 11 points for the Bucks … Kyle Lowry scored a season-high 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range … Pascal Siakam added 16 for Toronto, which had won four of its first five this season … Marc Gasol grabbed 12 rebounds and had 10 points … The Raptors, who had trailed by as much as 26 points, pulled within four three times in the fourth quarter, the last on a 3-pointer from Fred VanVleet that made it 107-103 with 2:24 to play … However, George Hill pushed the lead to six with two free throws, Antetokounmpo tacked on two more baskets and Bledsoe added one for the final margin … Lowry’s 17 points and 12 from Siakam pulled Toronto to 95 -90 heading into the fourth quarter … The Bucks led 36-17 at the end of the first quarter and 66-50 at the half behind 17 points from Antetokounmpo … The Raptors shot just 13 of 41 from the floor in the opening half.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 17 33 40 15 105
MILWAUKEE 36 30 29 20 115
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Charlotte Hornets Date: Friday, February 28 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet One Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. CHARLOTTE
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2019-20 2-0 1-0 1-0
ALL-TIME 38-44 24-18 14-26
STREAKS Won 2 Won 1 Won 1
LAST WIN: January 8, 2020 (112-110 OT)
LAST HOME WIN: November 18, 2019 (132-96)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +36, November 18, 2019
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -36, November 20, 2000
LAST TIME VS. CHARLOTTE
GAME 38 – JANUARY 8, 2020 TORONTO 112, CHARLOTTE 110
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Serge Ibaka made two free throws with 5.1 seconds left in overtime and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds as the banged-up Toronto Raptors escaped with a 112-110 overtime win over Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night… Terence Davis also had 23 points and 11 boards, OG Anunoby added 19 points and Kyle Lowry had 15 points and nine assists… Patrick McCaw added 13 points and 11 assists as the Raptors avoided taking losses on back-to-back nights for the first time since Dec. 26-27, 2017… Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 27 points, but his 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime fell short… Miles Bridges added 26 points and nine rebounds for Charlotte, and P.J. Washington had 12 points and 12 rebounds… After leading by as many as 12 in the third quarter, the Raptors fell behind by 10 in the fourth quarter when Rozier hit a long 3 from the left wing with 5:25 remaining… The Raptors battled back to take the lead 100-99 with 17 seconds left when Lowry drove the lane and scored on a left-handed layup in traffic… On the Hornets’ ensuing inbounds pass, Ibaka was called for a foul away from the ball after grabbing Washington’s jersey… Rozier sank the automatic free throw to tie it, but Devonte Graham’s runner at the buzzer was short, sending the game into overtime… Davis, making his first NBA start, had two 3-pointers in overtime for the Raptors.
1 2 3 4 OT TOT
TORONTO 29 31 22 18 12 112
CHARLOTTE 31 24 26 19 10 110
GAME 57 – FEBRUARY 23, 2020 TORONTO 127 , INDIANA 81
TORONTO — Kyle Lowry had 16 points and 11 assists as the Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 127-81 in Toronto’s most lopsided victory in franchise history … Lowry stretched his career-best streak of consecutive double-doubles to six games in the Raptors’ ninth straight victory at Scotiabank Arena … It was also the Raptors’ 17 win in their last 18 outings … Pascal Siakam added 21 points while Serge Ibaka chipped in with 15 points and 15 rebounds … Matt Thomas finished with 17 points, Terence Davis had 13, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 12, and Chris Boucher hauled down 11 rebounds to go with nine points for Toronto … Domantas Sabonis and Aaron Holiday had 14 points apiece to top the Pacers, who were missing Victor Oladipo … The Raptors held the Pacers to four baskets on 17.4 per cent shooting in the first quarter … By the time Fred VanVleet launched a running three-pointer with four seconds left in the first half, the Raptors were up by 31 points … The Pacers’ 32 points at halftime were a season-low for a half by an opponent … Toronto took an 85-55 lead into the fourth, and when Hollis-Jefferson connected on a bucket with 8:19 to play, the Raptors were up by 40 … Back-to-back three -pointers by Thomas put the Raptors up by 46 points with 2:17 to play … Toronto shot 51.1 per cent on the night, while holding Indiana to 32.6 per cent and 24.2 per cent from three-point range.
1 2 3 4 TOT
INDIANA 12 20 23 26 81
TORONTO 34 29 22 42 127 GAME 56 – FEBRUARY 21, 2020 TORONTO 118 , PHOENIX 101
TORONTO — Pascal Siakam had 37 points and 12 rebounds and Toronto beat Phoenix 118-101 on Friday night, its fifth straight victory over the Suns … Serge Ibaka scored 16 points, Fred VanVleet and Terence Davis each had 14, Kyle Lowry had 13 points and 10 assists and OG Anunoby added 12 points for the defending NBA champion Raptors … Siakam connected on 12 of 19 attempts, going 5 of 9 from 3-point range … He scored 17 points in the first quarter as Toronto built a big first-half lead and didn’t let it go … Siakam’s five 3-pointers were just one fewer than the six the Suns managed on 34 attempts … Phoenix shot 17.6% from long range, its lowest mark of the season … No Suns player made more than one shot from distance … Booker scored 21 points and DeAndre Ayton had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix … The Suns lost for the seventh time in nine games and dropped their fifth straight on the road … Phoenix trailed 93-78 through three quarters, but the Suns cut the gap to six points, 96-90 on a basket by Ayton with 8:08 left to play … Rondae HollisJefferson made a pair from the line, and VanVleet and Siakam both scored to put the Raptors up 102-90 with 6:58 remaining … Booker missed a 3 with 4:45 left that would have made it a four-point game … Anunoby scored on a dunk and, after another missed 3 by the Suns, Ibaka banked home a 3-pointer to restore Toronto’s 12-point cushion.
1 2 3 4 TOT
PHOENIX 23 20 35 23 101
TORONTO 31 36 26 25 118
BUCKS PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP WITH 2019-20 STATS 22 F – Khris Middleton 6-7 225 Texas A&M/USA 8th season G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT% 50 47 21.1 6.2 4.2 29.9 .509 .437 .909 34 F – Giannis Antetokounmpo 6-11 240 Filathlitikos/Greece 7th season G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT% 51 51 29.9 13.6 5.8 30.7 .554 .311 .617 11 C – Brook Lopez 7-0 282 Stanford/USA 12th season G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT% 54 53 10.7 4.5 1.7 26.7 .428 .294 .835 9 G – Wesley Matthews 6-4 221 Marquette/USA 11th season G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT% 54 54 7.5 2.4 1.5 24.6 .409 .378 .750 6 G – Eric Bledsoe 6-1 214 Kentucky/USA 10th season G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT% 49 49 15.8 4.8 5.5 27.2 .485 .354 .829 Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer – 2nd season with Milwaukee (109-30); 7th season overall (322-227)
BUCK SHOTS
• In just their second overtime game of the season, the Bucks improved to 49-8 with a 137-134 win over the Wizards on Monday. Milwaukee, which has now won 17 of its last 19 games, is one of only seven teams in NBA history to win 49 of its first 57 games.
• The Bucks are finishing their eighth of 11 back-to-backs of the season tonight (second roadroad back-to-back). Milwaukee, which has road back-to-backs in each of the next three weeks, is a perfect 7-0 in the second game of a back-to-back so far this season.
• By scoring 137 points on Monday, the Bucks extended their regular-season streak of scoring 100 points to 81 games, and their streak of scoring 110 points to 18 games Their 81-game streak of scoring 100 points is now tied for the third-longest in NBA history while their 18 consecutive games scoring 110 points remains the longest streak in the NBA this season.
• As a team, the Bucks shot 57.7% from the field in their win over the Wizards on Monday (2ndhighest FG% of the season). Milwaukee has outshot its opponent in 49 of its 57 games this season (most times in the NBA) and is 47-2 when doing so.
• Khris Middleton led the Bucks against the Wizards, tallying his second 40-point game of the season (had only 1 40-point game in his career before this season). Middleton has scored at least 20 points in 10 of his last 11 games and is averaging 27.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 53.7% from the field and 48.7% from three during this 11-game stretch.
• Eric Bledsoe picked up his second double-double of the season on Monday as he scored 23 points (7-11 FG, 4-6 3FG) and dished out a season-high-tying 10 assists. In his time with the Bucks, Bledsoe has produced 13 double-doubles with the Bucks owning an 11-2 record in those games.
RECENT GAMES
Bucks at Wizards – Monday, Feb. 24 – Capital One Arena – Washington, D.C. W, 137-134 (OT) – In only the second overtime game of the season for the Bucks, they were able to pull out a 137-134 win over the Wizards in Washington, D.C. on Monday night. Despite Milwaukee leading for nearly the entirety of the first three quarters of play, and by as many as 20 points in the second half, the Wizards were able to the tie the game at 121 with 1:23 left in regulation. Later, with the game tied again at 123, Robin Lopez blocked a potential go-ahead layup by the Wizards with just 2.6 seconds remaining and the Bucks just missed a last-second opportunity to score a game-winner on the other end, sending the game to overtime tied at 123. In the overtime period, the two teams traded early baskets before the Wizards were able to take a four-point advantage with 1:57 remaining. But from there, Khris Middleton took over, scoring the final nine points of the game for the Bucks, including a huge 3-pointer with 30 seconds left that put Milwaukee up three. After the Wizards made two free throws following the Middleton three, it was Middleton’s two free throws on the other end that iced the game for the Bucks. Middleton finished the night with 40 points while Eric Bledsoe added 23 points and 10 assists. The Wizards were led by Bradley Beal who scored 55 points.
Bucks vs. 76ers – Saturday, Feb. 22 – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, Wisconsin W, 119-98 – The Bucks picked up another 20-point win and another wire-to-wire victory on Saturday as they defeated the 76ers at Fiserv Forum, 119-98. Milwaukee started the game on a 12-2 run and never looked back as it took a 31-21 lead after one quarter of play. In the second quarter, the 76ers were able to pull within a point at 37-36, but the Bucks responded with a 12-2 run before taking a 56-50 lead at halftime. The Bucks quickly pushed their lead back to double digits to start the second half, and eventually used a 17-3 run in the middle of the quarter to extend an 11-point lead to a 25-point advantage with 3:15 left in the third quarter. Milwaukee led by at least 20 points from that point forward as it went on to pick up its 48th win of the season and move 40 games over .500. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists while Khris Middleton chipped in 25 points. The 76ers were led by Joel Embiid, Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton who each scored 17 points.
Bucks at Pistons – Thursday, Feb. 20 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, Michigan W, 126-106 – In their first game after the All-Star break, The Bucks picked up a 20-point, 126-106, victory on Thursday night over the Pistons in Detroit. The Bucks were in the driver’s seat for this one as they racked up a 14-point lead entering the second quarter, going ahead 32-18, before taking a 29-point lead at halftime, 70-41. From there, the Bucks held on the rest of the way leading by 20 or more points for the entirety of the third quarter before building a 34-point lead in the fourth quarter – their largest lead of the night – in the final four minutes of play at 124-90. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 33 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Khris Middleton added 28 points. Christian Wood led the Pistons with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Bucks at Pacers – Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, Indiana L, 111-118 – In the final game before the All-Star break, the Bucks fell to the Pacers, 111-118, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Milwaukee dug itself into a hole early, coming out of the first quarter down by 14 points, 20-34. The second quarter was more of the same as the Bucks continued to trail, this time by as many as 25 points before entering the locker room down by 23 at 45-68. By outscoring the Pacers, 26-14 in the third quarter, Milwaukee was able to cut Indiana’s lead to an 11-point advantage, 71-82. In the final frame, the Bucks were able to bring the game within four on two occasions but were unable to convert on either of these opportunities as the Pacers quickly took a 17-point lead before closing the game out ahead by seven, 118-111. Donte DiVincenzo carried the Bucks with a career-high-tying 19 points. T.J. Warren led the Pacers with 35 points.
Game Leaders Bucks Wizards Points 40 – Khris Middleton 55 – Bradley Beal Rebounds 14 – Giannis Antetokounmpo 10 – Moritz Wagner Assists 10 – Eric Bledsoe 7 – S. Napier, I. Smith Game Leaders Bucks 76ers Points 31 – Giannis Antetokounmpo 18 – J. Embiid, F. Korkmaz, S. Milton Rebounds 17 – Giannis Antetokounmpo 11 – Joel Embiid Assists 8 – G. Antetokounmpo, E. Bledsoe 4 – Joel Embiid Game Leaders Bucks Pistons Points 33 – Giannis Antetokounmpo 18 – Christian Wood Rebounds 16 – Giannis Antetokounmpo 11 – Christian Wood Assists 6 – Eric Bledsoe 7 – Bruce Brown Game Leaders Bucks Pacers Points 19 – Donte DiVincenzo 35 – T.J. Warren Rebounds 8 – S. Brown, D. DiVincenzo 9 – D. Sabonis, M. Turner Assists 5 – Khris Middleton 13 – Malcolm Brogdon
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