Even Steven
Raptors beat Bucks to tie up series.
In the two days between an unfathomable loss and a decisive victory, DeMar DeRozan was the picture of calm.
After going without a field goal in Game 3, the Raptors’ leading scorer simply vowed to be better, and Kyle Lowry & Co. never doubted him.
On Saturday, DeRozan made good on his promise, scoring 33 points to lift the Raptors to an 87- 76 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks to send the best- ofseven series back to Toronto all tied up at two wins apiece.
In the moments after the defensive slug- fest, DeRozan talked about how he and Lowry have become better at “collecting our thoughts.”
“The time will come when we will get back out on there on the court but in the meantime try not to go crazy in two days of waiting,” DeRozan said. “Just being patient and being mature with the process and trying to keep him ( Lowry) calm. It’s still a challenge but we figure it out.”
DeRozan shot 12 of 22 and hit all nine free throws. Lowry added 18 points while Norman Powell and Jonas Valanciunas had 12 apiece. Tony Snell had 19 points to top Milwaukee.
Seated side by side at the post- game press conference, Lowry credited DeRozan for helping him get past their humiliating 104- 77 loss two nights earlier.
“My guy is always going to keep me calm. He is an unbelieveable friend ... I always think about what should have happened or what could have happened. Sometimes it gets to me. I don’t sleep well. But he’s always the guy
who says ‘ Look, everything happens for a reason.’
“We have been through some bad games before, bad times before, great times before, and he is always that guy who stays on that same level and you appreciate that.”
DeRozan made history in Game 3, becoming the first 25- point scorer in history to go 0- for- 3 or worse in a playoff game in the same season.
“I keep a level head and I understand bad things are going to come, and I accept it, just like I accept the great times,” DeRozan said of his ability to bounce back. “I knew
lightning don’t strike twice in the same place.”
“You know that’s not true,” Lowry snorted. “It’s not a factual fact.”
“But it sounds good,” DeMar said, with a grin.
The Raptors built themselves a nine- point lead before taking a 64- 58 advantage into the fourth quarter in front of a loud crowd of 18,717 towel- waving fans at BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Milwaukee fans, carrying signs such as “Canadian bacon ham,” and “Lowry whines more than happy hour” left the arena still optimistic, chanting “Bucks in six!”