Raptors no longer unbeaten

Milwaukee wins battle of undefeated teams, downs Toronto 124-109

MILWAUKEE (AP) — No Giannis Antetokounmpo, no problem for the Milwaukee Bucks.

With the way they’re shooting from the three-point line, the Bucks look like they can beat just about anybody in the NBA.

Ersan Ilyasova scored a season-high 19 points and the Bucks cruised without the injured Antetokounmpo to beat the Toronto Raptors 124-109 on Monday night in a showdown of the NBA’s last undefeated teams.

Milwaukee improved to 7-0 in a marquee matchup that lost some lustre with Antetokounmpo in concussion protocol and Raptors star Kawhi Leonard also sitting out to rest.

The Bucks’ start to the season matches the 1971-72 club for best in franchise history. Milwaukee made up for Antetokounmpo’s absence with another strong showing from the perimeter, with Malcolm Brogdon and Eric Bledsoe chipping in 17 points each. Serge Ibaka scored 30 points for Toronto, which had its franchise-best 6-0 start snapped. Pascal Siakam added 22.

They still couldn’t keep up with the Bucks, who eclipsed the 110-point mark for the seventh straight game even without Antetokounmpo, who averages 25.0 points and 14.2 rebounds.

“They dictated the tempo of the game tonight,” Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said.

The Raptors return home to host the Philadelphia 76ers tonight, while the Bucks will visit the Boston Celtics on Thursday.