Powell gives Raptors edge on Bucks

Norm Powell scored a playoff career-high 25 points, Kyle Lowry had 16 points and 10 assists and the Raptors beat the Bucks 118-93 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Monday night in Toronto.

Serge Ibaka scored 19 points and DeMar DeRozan had 18 for the Raptors, who can advance to face the defending champion Cavaliers with a victory in Game 6 on Thursday night in Milwaukee.

Many in the sellout crowd of 20,251 rose to their feet and chanted ‘Raps in six’ in the final minute of the game.

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook went on a rant defending his teammates after Sunday’s 113-109 loss to the Rockets.

A recurring theme throughout the series has been the Thunder’s tendency to lose leads when Westbrook sits in the second half. Steven Adams was asked about the issue, and Westbrook interrupted.

“Hold on, Steven,” Westbrook said. “I don’t want nobody to try and split us up. We’re all one team. If I go to the bench and Steven’s on the floor and I’m off the floor, we’re in this together . ... Don’t try and split us up. Don’t try to make us go against each other or make it Russell and the rest of the guys. Russell against Houston. I don’t want to hear that. We’re in this together. We play as a team. That’s all that matters.”

When pressed on the matter, Westbrook became more agitated, repeatedly saying “Next question.”

“Say ‘Russell, the team hasn’t played well,’ ” he said. “Don’t say, ‘When Russell goes out the team doesn’t play well.’ That doesn’t matter. We’re in this together.”

The Bulls will start seldom-used point guard Isaiah Canaan in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Celtics. The Bulls offense has struggled in a big way with Rajon Rondo sidelined for the last two games because of a broken right thumb, and the series is now tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 on Wednesday in Boston . ... The Clippers will get reserve guard Austin Rivers back for Game 5 against the Jazz. Coach Doc Rivers said his son’s minutes would be restricted when the first-round series resumes Tuesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with the series tied 2-2.