3 takeaways from the Milwaukee Bucks close loss to Toronto Raptors

Despite a valiant effort from a slightly depleted Milwaukee Bucks team, they fell just short and had their eight-game winning streak snapped against the Toronto Raptors, losing 97-93. The usual players were out for the Bucks: Brook Lopez, Donte DiVincenzo, and Semi Ojeleye. They were also with DeMarcus Cousins and (as we found out 30 minutes before game time) Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks battled hard though and kept it close right until the end. They had a couple of chances down two points but a missed Pat Connaughton corner 3 and then an offensive rebound by Scottie Barnes after Precious Achiuwa missed both free throws sealed the game for the Raptors.

It was a wholly entertaining game and in the end, the Bucks didn’t have the juice to finish it off in the end but there were still some things to be taken away from this game.

Jrue Holiday continues his strong stretch for the Milwaukee Bucks

For long stretches of the game, it seemed as though the only consistent source of offense for the Bucks was Jrue Holiday creating off the dribble whether it be going to the rim or his stepback jumper. He finished with 26 points on 61.3 percent true shooting to go along with six rebounds and eight assists.

Holiday had 16 of his 26 points in the first half, going 7-of-9 from the field. He turned into more of a facilitator in the fourth quarter once the defense began to key in on him, dishing out five assists in the final frame.

Holiday initially struggled mightily after returning from his ankle sprain and it was hard to watch at times as he didn’t quite have his burst or touch around the basket or on his jumpers. Coming into this one, Holiday averaged 18 points per game on nearly 60 percent true shooting in his last five games and added onto that tonight despite being the primary creator and being the focus of the Raptors defense.

It’s a good sign for the Bucks that Holiday is rounding into form and especially so now that they’ll be without Lopez for an even longer period than initially anticipated. The 31-year-old is turning back into the player that Bucks fans saw last regular season and last night’s game was another step in that direction.