Raptors come through in Game 6
Toronto holds on for 92-89 victory over Milwaukee, will face Cleveland in Round 2
MILWAUKEE, Minn. — The Toronto Raptors have made a habit out of doing things the difficult way.
So when coach Dwane Casey met with the media after the Raptors’ roller-coaster Game 6 victory over Milwaukee that sent them into the Eastern Conference semifinals and a showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers, all he could do was shake his head.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy; we made it hard on ourselves down the stretch,” Casey said. “But I thought we showed a lot of resiliency down the stretch.
“To close out on the road is one of the hardest things to do in the NBA. I don’t care who you are, what team you are, it’s very difficult to do.”
DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points as the Raptors held on to beat the Bucks 92-89, but not before watching a 25-point lead obliterated amid a fierce, crowd-fuelled Milwaukee comeback. The Raptors clinched the best-of-seven series 4-2 to advance to the conference semis, which begin Monday in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have been off since sweeping No. 7 Indiana on Sunday.
Kyle Lowry added 13 points for Toronto, while Serge Ibaka had 11 boards but just seven points before fouling out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who played all but 81 seconds, scored 34 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bucks.
The Raptors, who had never won a playoff series in less than the maximum number of games, dominated for much of the night and led by as many as 25 points midway through the third quarter. But the Bucks responded with a 15-3 run to cut Toronto’s lead to 74-61 heading into a nail-biting final frame.
The Bucks rode their momentum, while the Raptors coughed up one ball after another. When Jason Terry drilled a three-pointer with 3:06 to play, it gave the Bucks their first lead since the first quarter. The roar in the BMO Harris Bradley Center was deafening.
In the post-game locker-room, the Raptors talked about the ensuing huddle. DeRozan, Lowry and Cory Joseph preached calm.
“Them talking, calming us down in the huddle being those leaders and just reassuring us we were fine,” Patrick Patterson said. “There was enough time left on the clock. They made their run but we can easily make ours and that is exactly what happened.”
SPURS 103, GRIZZLIES 96
NASHVILLE (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points and the San Antonio Spurs advanced to the Western Conference semifinals by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 103-96 on Thursday night to take the series 4-2.
The Spurs have beaten Memphis four of the five playoff series between these teams, and this was San Antonio’s second straight win over the Grizzlies in the first round.
Tony Parker added 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting, while LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Patty Mills had 10 points off the bench for the Spurs.
Mike Conley scored 26 points to lead Memphis.