Lowry helps Raptors end five-game skid
TORONTO -- Kyle Lowry scored 32 points and added six assists as the Toronto Raptors ended a season-high five-game losing streak with a 102-86 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
The Raptors, who led by as many as 19 points, took a seven-point advantage into the fourth quarter. They opened a 15-point lead early in the fourth and still led by that margin with three minutes to play.
Norman Powell added 19 points for the Raptors (29-18), who were without DeMar DeRozan (sprained right ankle). Patrick Patterson added 10 points while Jonas Valanciunas scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Jabari Parker had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks (21-25), who have lost seven of their past eight games. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 19 points and Matthew Dellavedova 11 for Milwaukee.
The Raptors went on a 17-0 run during the first quarter, led by as many as 19 points and were ahead 36-19 entering the second quarter. Lowry had 12 first-quarter points for the Raptors, who shot 56.5 percent from the field.
The Bucks scored the first nine points of the second quarter to trim Toronto's lead to eight.
Lowry's 3-pointer with 1:08 to play in the half gave Toronto a 16-point lead. The Raptors led 53-39 at the intermission led by 18 points from Lowry. Antetokounmpo and Thon Maker led the Bucks with eight first-half points each.
Dellavedova made three straight 3-pointers to pull the Bucks to within 10 points of the Raptors with 7:48 to play in the third quarter. Lowry responded with four straight points and Toronto's lead was back to 14.
Antetokounmpo made two free throws with 57.5 seconds left in the third quarter to cut the lead to eight and Toronto led 77-70 after three quarters.
Patterson's 3-pointer had the Raptors up by 15 points early in the fourth quarter.
The Bucks came back and trimmed the lead to nine on Rashad Vaughn's 3-pointer with 5:11 to play.
Cory Joseph's driving layup with 4:22 to play put Toronto's lead at 13 and Lowry's basket nudged the lead to 15.
NOTES: Toronto G DeMar DeRozan (sprained right ankle) missed his third consecutive game Friday after being injured in the second half on Sunday. He was checked out Friday morning and it was determined that he should not play against the Bucks. ... The Raptors last lost five games in a row Feb. 21-28, 2015, and the last time they lost six straight was Dec.3-12, 2012. ... The Bucks picked up a total of 28 steals in their two previous games, a season-high 17 Monday in a win over the Houston Rockets and 11 in the loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. ... The Raptors play the second game of three straight at home against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. ... The Bucks will play the Boston Celtics at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Saturday.