Raptors at Bucks
The Toronto Raptors remain in the driver's seat for top spot in the Atlantic Division despite being without two members of their starting lineup. They'll hope to have point guard Kyle Lowry and forward Amir Johnson back in action Saturday night as they travel to Milwaukee for a date with the last-place Bucks. The Raptors remained 2 1/2 games clear of the Brooklyn Nets atop the division by fending off the Indiana Pacers 100-94 behind 24 points from Terrence Ross.
That Toronto has been forced to do without Lowry for the past two games may not be a bad thing for the club. Lowry had played every game this season prior to sitting out the past two with a knee injury, and the extra rest could serve him well come playoff time. The Bucks don't have to concern themselves with such issues - they had just eight players at their disposal in Friday's 102-90 loss to Chicago as they continue looking toward the NBA draft.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (44-32): The scoring prowess of Lowry and All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan has helped carry the Raptors to their first playoff appearance in seven years - but the secondary offense has been impressive as well. Facing one of the stoutest defenses in the NBA, Toronto got 46 points from Ross and Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas to upend the Pacers. The two combined to shoot 18-of-31 from the field, covering nicely for subpar efforts from DeRozan (8-for-19) and backcourt mate Greivis Vasquez (4-of-12).
ABOUT THE BUCKS (14-62): Things have been bad enough for the Bucks on the court - Friday's loss tied the single-season franchise record - but they were made even worse off the court with word that injured big man Larry Sanders had been suspended five games for marijuana use. The ban is handed out to any player who tests positive for marijuana for a third time. Sanders, who has been on the sidelines since early February after suffering fractures to his orbital bone, apologized to the franchise and its fans in a statement.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Toronto leads the season series 2-0 after dropping the previous eight head-to-head meetings.
2. DeRozan averages 15.1 points in 15 career games against Milwaukee.
3. The Raptors are 8-8 on the tail end of back-to-backs, while the Bucks are just 2-17.