Chicago Bulls stepped up defensively in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Here’s what worked. — The Denver Post

The Chicago Bulls defense stood out in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks, holding the reigning NBA champions 22.5 points below their regular-season average despite the 93-86 loss. Coach Billy Donovan believes this level of physical buy-in is“ just the price of admission” for guarding the Bucks. “You don’ t do that, you have no…

Chicago Bulls stepped up defensively in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Here’s what worked. — The Denver Post

Chicago Bulls will face the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks beginning Sunday in the 1st round of the NBA playoffs — Boston Herald

The Chicago Bulls will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA playoffs, staying close to home to begin their first postseason appearance in five years. 303 more words

Chicago Bulls will face the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks beginning Sunday in the 1st round of the NBA playoffs — Boston Herald

Celtics Notebook: Jayson Tatum, Al Horford sit out vs. Milwaukee — Boston Herald

Though a win over Milwaukee Thursday night would have clinched second place and a first-round playoff series against a play-in tournament team, the Celtics, citing health concerns, sat Jayson Tatum and Al Horford on the second night of a back-to back swing. Tatum, who has received treatment recently for right knee soreness, and Horford, with…

Celtics Notebook: Jayson Tatum, Al Horford sit out vs. Milwaukee — Boston Herald

Bucks’ Connaughton to undergo hand surgery, expected back this season — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

It happened on an innocent looking play against the Suns.

Bucks’ Connaughton to undergo hand surgery, expected back this season — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Three Things to Know: As Nets falter, Bucks are team building title habits — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The Bucks look like a team finding their footing and building good habits looking ahead to the playoffs.

Three Things to Know: As Nets falter, Bucks are team building title habits — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Three Things to Know: Antetokounmpo passes Jordan on triple-double list — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Antetokounmpo had his fourth triple-double this season and the 29th of his career.

Three Things to Know: Antetokounmpo passes Jordan on triple-double list — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Watch hard foul on Alex Caruso that got Grayson Allen ejected — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan was still angry after the game about the foul on Caruso.

Watch hard foul on Alex Caruso that got Grayson Allen ejected — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

RAPTORS-BUCKS PREGAME NOTES


INJURY REPORT AT 5:30 P.M.

01/15/2022 06:30 (ET) TOR@MIL Milwaukee Bucks Dowtin, Jeff Out G League – On Assignment
Galloway, Langston Out Health and Safety Protocols
Holiday, Jrue Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Soreness
Lopez, Brook Out Injury/Illness – Back; Surgery
Toronto Raptors Barnes, Scottie Out Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Injury Management
Birch, Khem Out Injury/Illness – Nose; Fracture
Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment
Dragic, Goran Out Not With Team
Johnson, David Out G League – Two-Way
Trent Jr., Gary Doubtful Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Swelling

• The Toronto Raptors (20-19) continue a five-game road trip (Jan. 14-21) Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks (27-17) at Fiserv Forum. The Raptors are 2-0 vs. the Bucks this season. Toronto has won
five of their last six games against Milwaukee, including four straight on the road. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are averaging 26.5 and 24.0 points, respectively, against Milwaukee this season. The Raptors
play eight-of-10 games on the road to end the month of January (Jan. 14-31). Toronto is 4-2 in the second game of a back-to-back set this season.
Fred VanVleet has made at least four three-pointers in a franchise record 10 consecutive games (Dec. 14 Jan 14) – the longest streak in the NBA this season. VanVleet is averaging 29.0 points and shooting .449
(57-127) from beyond the arc over his last 10 games. Only Stephen Curry and James Harden have longer streaks in NBA history. VanVleet’s 57 three-point field goals is also the franchise record for the most three-pointers made during a 10-game span.
• The Raptors (13.4) are currently tied with Memphis for the NBA lead in offensive rebounds per game and rank second (16.8) in second-chance points per game – behind only the Grizzlies (17.7). Through seven
games in January, the Raptors have outrebounded opponents 109-to-66 (+43) on the offensive glass.
Pascal Siakam recorded his team-leading ninth double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds Friday night at Detroit. Siakam is currently averaging 20.8 points and career highs of 8.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He is one of just six players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists this
season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, James Harden and Nikola Jokic.
Fred VanVleet (3.9) and Gary Trent Jr. (3.5) currently rank second and fourth, respectively, in the NBA in deflections per game. VanVleet has led the NBA in deflections per game each of the past two seasons,while Trent Jr. also ranks fourth in the league in steals per game (1.91) and has recorded multiple steals in 20 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (18.5) and rank third in steals (9.2).
• Fred VanVleet was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week (Jan. 3-9) for the first time in his career after leading the Raptors to a perfect 4-0 record, averaging 30.3 points (sixth in the NBA), 6.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 36.5 minutes. He shot .467 (42-90) from the field, .453 (24-53) from three-point range and was 13-for-13 at the free throw line. VanVleet scored 30+ points three times and recorded his first career triple-double with a season-best 37 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Jan. 7 vs. Utah. His 37 points was the most scored in a triple-double in franchise history.
SECOND GAME OF A BACK-TO-BACK SET (4-2)
FG% 3PT% FT% REB AST STL BLK TO PTS
RAPTORS .441 .371 .775 47.0 21.7 8.0 6.0 14.3 110.2
OPPONENT .438 .333 .732 45.7 23.8 7.8 6.8 15.3 106.2
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – OG ANUNOBY #3

MIN: 36.0 REB: 5.0 AST: 2.3 STL: 1.5 TO: 1.7 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.2
• Tallied 16 points, three rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes Jan. 14 at Detroit.
• Has scored in double figures in eight straight games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 14), averaging 18.9 points during this stretch.
• Averaging 20.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in nine road games this season.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43

MIN: 35.9 REB: 8.4 AST: 4.6 STL: 1.0 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 20.8
• Finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in 41 minutes Jan. 14 at Detroit.
• Reached 1,000 career assists against the Pistons, becoming just the 10th Raptor to reach this milestone.
• Has nine double-doubles in 26 games this season, something he did 13 times in 56 contests last year.
C – PRECIOUS ACHIUWA #5

MIN: 24.4 REB: 7.5 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.6 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 7.7
• Recorded four points and led the bench with eight rebounds in 24 minutes Jan. 14 at Detroit.
• Ranks second among sophomores in rebounding (7.5) – has led the Raptors in rebounding a team-high 12 times.
• Averaging 7.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 26.7 minutes in 17 starts this season.
G – SCOTTIE BARNES #4

MIN: 35.5 REB: 7.9 AST: 3.5 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 14.5
• Contributed eight points, seven rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes Jan. 14 at Detroit.
• Leads the Raptors with 95 offensive rebounds; also ranks first among all rookies.
• Ranks second among rookies in rebounds (7.9), fourth in assists (3.5), and fifth in scoring (14.5).
G – FRED VANVLEET #23

MIN: 37.8 REB: 4.9 AST: 6.7 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.6 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 22.1
• Scored a game-high 24 points in 42 minutes Jan. 14 at Detroit; added 10 assists, five rebounds and two steals.
• The Raptors are 13-7, including 4-2 this season, when VanVleet records a double-double.
• Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.8), has logged 40+ minutes nine times.

INJURY REPORT
Khem Birch (Nose; Broken) – Out
Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment) – Out
Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out
David Johnson (G League – Two-Way) – Out
Gary Trent Jr. (Left Ankle; Swelling) – TBD

Antetokounmpo scores 31 in return, Bucks easily handle Nets — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Bobby Portis scored 20 of his 25 in the first half to help the Bucks snap a two-game skid.

Antetokounmpo scores 31 in return, Bucks easily handle Nets — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

RAPTORS-BUCKS PREGAME NOTES

INJURY REPORT AT 4:30 P.M. — NO GIANNIS FOR THE BUCKS

Milwaukee Bucks:

Allen, Grayson Out Health and Safety Protocols
Antetokounmpo, Giannis Out Injury/Illness – Non-covid; Illness

Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Questionable Health and Safety Protocols
Connaughton, Pat Out Health and Safety Protocols
DiVincenzo, Donte Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Sprain
Hill, George Out Health and Safety Protocols
Lopez, Brook Out Injury/Illness – Back; Surgery
Nwora, Jordan Questionable Health and Safety Protocols
Ojeleye, Semi Questionable Health and Safety Protocols
Toronto Raptors:

Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment
Dragic, Goran Out Not With Team
Mykhailiuk, Svi Out Health and Safety Protocols
Watanabe, Yuta Out Health and Safety Protocols

GAME #35 – TORONTO RAPTORS (17-17) vs. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (25-14)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022 – 8 P.M. (ET) – FISERV FORUM
TV: SPORTSNET – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO


• The Toronto Raptors (17-17) play the second game of a back-to-back set Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks (25-14) at Fiserv Forum. The Raptors have won three in a row (Dec. 31 – Jan. 4) and
are .500 for the first time since they were 7-7 on Nov. 13. In the first meeting this season, Fred VanVleet scored 29 points and the Raptors beat Milwaukee 97-93 in Toronto on Dec. 2.
Fred VanVleet scored a game-high 33 points (12-23 FG, 7-14 3PT, 2-2 FT) Tuesday night vs. San Antonio. VanVleet has now scored 30+ points in three straight games (Dec. 31 – Jan. 4), and four of his last five (Dec. 14 – Jan. 4). He is averaging 33.0 points and shooting .493 (33-67) from the field, including .450 (18-40) from beyond the arc, over the last three contests. VanVleet is just the sixth player in Raptors franchise history to score 30+ points in three consecutive games, and first since Kawhi Leonard who did it in four
straight outings (Jan. 13-27, 2019). VanVleet has already scored 30+ points in six games this season, something he did six times in 52 contests last year.
• Toronto tied a season high with 129 points and made a season-best 30 field goals in yesterday’s win over San Antonio. The Raptors shot 18-for-44 (.409) from beyond the arc, matching its season high for made
three-pointers in the victory. Justin Champagnie scored a career-high 14 points in 13 minutes.
Pascal Siakam posted his third straight double-double (Dec. 31 – Jan. 4) with 18 points, 12 rebounds and
five assists in yesterday’s victory over the Spurs. He is averaging 21.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists over the last three (Dec. 31 – Jan. 4). Siakam recorded a double-double in a career-high four straight
games Nov. 6-11, 2019.
Fred VanVleet is shooting .469 (30-64) from three-point range over his last five games (Dec. 14 – Jan. 4). VanVleet’s 30 threes are the most in a five-game stretch in Raptors franchise history. Donyell Marshall
held the previous record of 28 three-pointers (March 11-20, 2005).
Fred VanVleet (118) and Gary Trent Jr. (113) currently rank first and third, respectively, in the NBA in
total deflections. VanVleet has led the NBA in deflections per game each of the past two seasons, while Trent Jr. also ranks second in the league in steals per game (2.03) and has recorded multiple steals in 20
games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (18.7) and rank third in steals (9.2).
• Rookie Scottie Barnes has scored in double figures in 14 straight games played (Nov. 21 – Jan. 4). He is averaging 15.9 points and shooting .497 (84-169) from the floor, including .396 (21-53) from beyond the
arc, during this streak. He currently leads all rookies in minutes (35.7), is tied for second in points (15.4),
ranks second in rebounds (8.1) and fourth with a .494 field goal percentage.
PROBABLE STARTERS

F – OG ANUNOBY #3MIN: 36.0 REB: 5.3 AST: 2.5 STL: 1.7 TO: 1.5 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 19.1
• Finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in 31 minutes Jan. 4 vs. San Antonio.
• Has totaled nine steals in the last three games (Dec. 31 – Jan. 4); recorded 3+ steals five times this season.
• Averaging 18.0 points and 5.3 rebounds over the last three games.
F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4

MIN: 35.7 REB: 8.1 AST: 3.4 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.9 BLK: 1.0 PTS: 15.4
• Tallied 11 points, nine rebounds and a career-high eight assists in 33 minutes Jan. 4 vs. San Antonio.
• Has scored in double figures in 14 straight games played (Nov. 21 – Jan. 4), averaging 15.9 points.
• Leads all rookies in minutes (35.7), tied for second in points (15.4) and ranks second in rebounds (8.1).
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43

MIN: 34.8 REB: 8.6 AST: 4.3 STL: 0.8 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 19.8
• Recorded third straight double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 27 minutes Jan. 4 vs. San Antonio.
• Averaging 21.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists over the last three games (Dec. 31 – Jan. 4).
• Leads the team with seven double-doubles this season despite missing 13 games.
G – GARY TRENT JR. #33


MIN: 34.1 REB: 2.9 AST: 2.1 STL: 2.0 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 16.4

• Contributed 21 points, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes of action Jan. 4 vs. San Antonio.
• Ranks second in the NBA in steals per game (2.03); has recorded multiple steals in 20 games.
• Averaged 19.2 points in 13 games on the road, compared to 14.3 points at home (18 games) this season.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23

MIN: 37.5 REB: 4.9 AST: 6.7 STL: 1.6 TO: 2.8 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 21.3
• Scored a game-high 33 points Jan. 4 vs. San Antonio; added seven assists and two steals in 32 minutes.
• Toronto is now 13-3 all-time when VanVleet scores 30+ points, including 5-1 this season.
• Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.5), has logged 40+ minutes seven times.

INJURY REPORT
Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment) – Out
Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out
David Johnson (Left Calf; Strain) – TBD
Svi Mykhailiuk (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out
Yuta Watanabe (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out

2021-22 RECORDS
W-L EAST WEST
OVERALL 17-17 11-11 6-6
HOME 10-10 6-7 4-3
AWAY 7-7 5-4 2-3
OVERTIME 0-1 0-1 0-

NEXT GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Utah Jazz
Date: Friday, January 7
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Scotiabank Arena
Television: TSN
Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

SERIES RECAP VS. UTAH
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2021-22 0-1 0-0 0-1
ALL-TIME 20-30 10-14 10-16
STREAKS Lost 3 Lost 1 Lost 2
LAST WIN: Mar. 9, 2020 (101-92)
LAST HOME WIN: Dec. 1, 2019 (130-110)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +24 (Nov. 9, 2013)
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -32 (Dec. 7, 2012)
LAST TIME VS. UTAH
GAME 16 – NOVEMBER 18, 2021
UTAH 119, TORONTO 103
SALT LAKE CITY — Rudy Gay hit five 3-pointers and scored 20 points in
his season debut to help the Utah Jazz beat the Toronto Raptors 119-103
… Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points for the Jazz … Utah shot 55% from
the field and scored 48 points in the paint … The Jazz also made 19 3-
pointers … Gary Trent Jr. scored a season-high 31 points for Toronto, and
Fred VanVleet added 24 … The Raptors lost for the sixth time in seven
games despite scoring 37 points off 24 Jazz turnovers … Khem Birch
gave Toronto an early spark, scoring all 14 of his points before halftime …
He made back-to-back baskets to kickstart a 9-2 run that gave the Raptors a 23-17 lead in the first quarter … Gay made three 3-pointers and
assisted another basket to help the Jazz rally and take a 42-31 lead early
in the second quarter … VanVleet made 3-pointers on three straight possessions to erase Utah’s lead and put the Raptors ahead 53-51 shortly
before halftime … The Jazz tightened up on defense in the third quarter
… Toronto made only three baskets over the final nine minutes of the
quarter … It opened the door for Utah to rebuild a double-digit lead … Joe
Ingles fed Rudy Gobert for a pair of dunks and drained a pair of 3-pointers
to fuel a 15-2 run that put the Jazz up 98-80 early in the fourth quarter.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 27 36 17 23 103
UTAH 32 29 31 27 119


GAME 34 – JANUARY 4, 2022
TORONTO 129, SAN ANTONIO 104

TORONTO — Fred VanVleet scored 33 points, Pascal Siakam had 18
points and 12 rebounds, and the Raptors extended their winning streak to
three by beating the Spurs 129-104 … Gary Trent Jr. scored 21 points as
the Raptors evened their record at 17-17, reaching the .500 mark for the
first time since they were 7-7 after a Nov. 13 home loss to Detroit … Toronto has won eight of their past 10 at home … Toronto’s OG Anunoby
scored 14 points and rookie Scottie Barnes had 11 points and a career-best eight assists … Justin Champagnie scored a career-high 14 for the
Raptors, who matched their season-high point total … VanVleet topped 30
points for the third straight game and fourth time in his past five …
VanVleet shot 12 for 23 and matched his season highs with seven made 3
-pointers and 14 attempts from distance … He also had seven assists ….
Toronto set a season high with 30 assists and shot 18 for 44 from outside
the arc, matching its season best for made 3-pointers … Former Raptor
Jakob Poeltl scored 19 points and Devin Vassell and rookie Josh Primo
each had 15 for San Antonio who lost its fourth straight … Joe Wieskamp
scored 13 points and Derrick White had 12 for the Spurs … Toronto led 30
-29 after one, and extended its lead with a 14-1 run in the second … The
Raptors shot 7 for 14 from 3-point range in the second quarter and led 68-
53 at halftime … Toronto took a 97-81 lead to the fourth.
1 2 3 4 TOT
SAN ANTONIO 29 24 28 23 104
TORONTO 30 38 29 32 129

Milwaukee Bucks (25-14) vs. Toronto Raptors (17-17)
Wednesday, Jan. 5 – 7 p.m. (CT) – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, Wis.
TV: Bally Sports Wisconsin – RADIO: 620 AM & 103.3 FM WTMJ
Game #40 – Home Game #20

MILWAUKEE BUCKS PREVIOUS GAME STARTERS (2021-22 Reg. Season Stats)


22

F – Khris Middleton 6-7 227 Texas A&M/USA 10th season
G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT%
27 27 18.3 5.3 5.0 31.0 .419 .355 .881


34

F – Giannis Antetokounmpo 6-11 243 Filathlitikos/Greece 9th season
G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT%
31 31 27.9 11.5 5.9 32.5 .537 .271 .690

9
C – Bobby Portis Jr
. 6-10 258 Arkansas/USA 7th season
G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT%
30 25 15.4 9.0 1.4 28.0 .480 .432 .790
7
G – Grayson Alle
n 6-3 212 Duke/USA 4th season
G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT%
36 35 11.9 3.4 1.3 28.4 .414 .389 .854


21

G – Jrue Holiday 6-4 224 UCLA/USA 13th season
G GS PPG RPG APG MPG FG% 3FG% FT%
32 31 18.5 4.5 6.5 33.0 .504 .377 .720

BUCK SHOTS

• The Milwaukee Bucks (25-14) are wrapping up their three-game homestand Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors (16-17). Following tonight’s game, the Bucks will begin a three-game road trip at Brooklyn (1/7) and at Charlotte (1/8, 1/10).
• Giannis Antetokounmpo has now scored 30+ points in a season-high three consecutive games after putting up 31 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists in Monday’s game against the Pistons. In five games since returning from the health and safety protocols, Antetokounmpo has scored 30+ points four times and is averaging 32.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists
per game while shooting 57.3% from the field.
Jrue Holiday had his second-highest scoring night of the season on Monday as he scored 29 points (11-19 FG) for his third straight game with 20+ points. Since the start of December, Holiday is averaging 21.7 points, 7.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while knocking down 56.2% of his shots overall and 43.8% of his 3-point attempts. He’s also scored
20+ points in 11 of his 17 games played since Dec. 1 after reaching 20 points just twice in his first 15 games of the season.
Bobby Portis Jr. picked up his 12th double-double of the season on Monday (12 pts, 14 rebs), giving him as many double-doubles this season as he had all of last season. Portis Jr. continues to average career-highs in scoring (15.4 ppg), rebounding (9.0 rpg) and 3s made per
game (2.0) this season in addition to shooting 48% from the field and 43% from three. He’s currently one of just four players in the NBA this season averaging 15+ points, 8 + rebounds
and shooting 40% from three.

Report: Bucks optimistic Brook Lopez will return before playoffs — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The Bucks did not give a timeline when announcing Brook Lopez’s back surgery earlier this month.

Report: Bucks optimistic Brook Lopez will return before playoffs — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports