Raptors beat Bucks to tie series at 2-2
MILWAUKEE — DeMar DeRozan reverted back to his playmaking form. The Toronto Raptors reasserted themselves on defense.
They’re headed back to Canada after winning a bruiser of a first-round playoff game on Saturday over the Milwaukee Bucks.
DeRozan scored 33 points, and Kyle Lowry had 14 of his 18 points in the second half of Toronto’s 87-76 victory to tie the Eastern Conference series at two games apiece.
The Raptors turned up their intensity before a hostile road crowd after getting embarrassed in a 27-point loss to Milwaukee in Game 3. They forced 21 turnovers.
“I’ve always said we play better with our backs against the wall,” coach Dwane Casey said. “It’s a tough way to live, but I love our team’s resilience and personality.”
Toronto reclaimed home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Monday at the Air Canada Centre.
Tony Snell led Milwaukee with 19 points, including five 3-pointers, both playoff career highs.
His 3 with 3:14 left got the Bucks within seven. Lowry answered with a bucket before setting up another basket with a drive-and-dish to center Jonas Valanciunas for a layup in traffic. While Toronto’s star guards produced in the clutch, the defense threw up roadblocks after the Bucks ran roughshod all over the court on Thursday night.
Grizzlies 110, Spurs 108, OT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Marc Gasol hit a 12-foot floater with 0.7 seconds left in overtime, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the San Antonio Spurs 110108 Saturday night to even up their first-round series at 2-2.
The Grizzlies won despite blowing a 10-point lead with 7:38 left in regulation and 23 turnovers that San Antonio turned into 31 points. Mike Conley set a franchise postseason record with 35 points, and Gasol finished with 16 points after shooting 5 of 12 for the game. He also had 12 rebounds. The Grizzlies overcame another postseason personal best from Kawhi Leonard who had 43 points. He rallied the Spurs by scoring the last 16 points of regulation, but missed a 21-footer short of the rim with James Ennis defending him just before the buzzer. Leonard tied it at 108 with 17 seconds left with a 3 from the left corner.