EditorsNote: adds to third graf
Khris Middleton scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and the visiting Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Toronto Raptors 108-97 Tuesday night.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 19 points and added 19 rebounds and eight assists for the Bucks, who have won 18 of their past 20 games.
The Bucks have won the first two meetings this season with the Raptors, who beat Milwaukee in six games in last year's Eastern Conference finals.
Eric Bledsoe added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Bucks, and Brook Lopez contributed 15 points.
Pascal Siakam had 22 points for the Raptors, who lost for only the second time in 19 games.
Fred VanVleet added 14 points for Toronto, OG Anunoby had 11 while Kyle Lowry, Chris Boucher and Terence Davis each scored 10 points.
Milwaukee has scored 100 or more points in 82 straight games.
The Bucks trailed by 12 points during the second quarter but were down by only two at halftime. They dominated the third quarter and took a 13-point lead into the fourth.
The Raptors opened the final period on a 7-0 run capped by a jump shot and free throw by Davis. After Toronto cut the deficit to five, the Bucks regained their 13-point lead on George Hill's corner 3-pointer with 6:21 to play.
The Raptors cut pulled within eight, only to have the Bucks increase the lead to 14 on Bledsoe's layup with 3:23 remaining.
Toronto got within seven with 2:23 left when VanVleet made a 3-pointer and a free throw, but Antetokounmpo answered with a 3-pointer.
The Raptors led 27-25 after the first quarter.
The Raptors were up by 10 points with 4:50 left in the second quarter when Anunoby made a layup and a free throw. Anunoby's dunk increased the lead to 12.
The Bucks answered with an 11-1 run to cut Toronto's lead to 52-50 at halftime.
The Bucks led by 11 after Donte DiVincenzo's reverse layup with 3:09 remaining in the third quarter. Marvin Williams finished the scoring in the period by hitting a 3-point shot, and Milwaukee led 84-71.
--Field Level Media
