The Toronto Raptors dropped their first game of the 2024 NBA Cup to the Milwaukee Bucks 99-85.
Toronto has lost 5 straight games and are 2-10 on the season.
Gradey Dick new career-high
Dick is turning into a three-level scorer. The sophomore posted a new career-high of 32 points in 38 minutes of action. Dick got to the free throw line 16 times, hitting 14 of them. Dick scored 22 of the Raptors’ 43 points heading into halftime. He carried the Raptors offense that looked stagnant all night. Dick had a couple of standout plays including crossing over Andre Jackson Jr. and then hitting a fadeaway jumper. He also dropped a nice dime to Bruno Fernando for a monster dunk. The 20-year-old also drew a charge on Giannis Antetokounmpo who drove right into Dick in the first quarter. Dick continues to emerge as a budding star for the Raptors.
RJ Barrett struggled
Barrett did not come to play against the Bucks. The 24-year-old had a night to forget scoring just 7 points on 3-for-14 shooting from the field and 1-for-5 shooting from three. Barrett was seen trying to force shots. With Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley out, Barrett will be the Raptors main focal point on offense. With how depleted the Raptors roster is right now, they need Barrett to step up. They cannot afford too many off games from him like the one he had in Milwaukee.
Another injury
The Raptors got hit with more injury news ahead of the game against the Bucks. Immanuel Quickley is going to miss at least a week with a partial tear in his left UCL before being reevaluated. It will be tough for the Raptors to remain competitive and win games until they get key players back from injury.
Next on tap
The Raptors will return home after a winless road trip to take on the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 15.
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