Powell leads Raptors to decisive win

RAPTORS 118, BUCKS 93

TORONTO The Toronto Raptors are within one win of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Norman Powell scored 25 points, his career high in the post-season, to lead the Raptors to a thrilling 118-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, sending the Raptors back to Wisconsin with a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series.

Six Raptors scored in the double digits. Serge Ibaka finished with 19 points, DeMar DeRozan added 18 and Kyle Lowry battled through a sore back to finish with 16 points and 10 assists. The team’s medical staff had worked on Lowry’s back before Monday’s morning shootaround, then sent him home to rest. It clearly bothered him during the game — when he wasn’t on the court, he was lying on his back in front of the bench.

DeMarre Carroll chipped in with 12 points, while Cory Joseph had 10.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 30 points and nine rebounds.

A victory in Thursday’s Game 6 in Milwaukee would send the Raptors to the Eastern Conference semis against familiar foe Cleveland. The Cavaliers, who ousted Toronto in the conference final last season, swept their series against the Indiana Pacers.

HAWKS HOLD OFF WIZARDS

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Paul Millsap bounced back from a sluggish start to score 19 points, Dwight Howard had his best game of the post-season and the Atlanta Hawks pulled away from the Washington Wizards 111-101 on Monday to even the opening-round playoff series at 2-2.

Game 5 is Wednesday in Washington, D.C.