Toronto Raptors Remain Perfect, Milwaukee Bucks Continue Struggle

The Toronto Raptors remained one of the undefeated teams so far in the 2015-2016 NBA regular season beating the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-87 Sunday behind another excellent balanced offense. Center Jonas Valanciunas top-scored for the Raptors in this one, finishing with 19 points plus 8 rebounds while five others also ended up in double-figure scoring.

The Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics in their first two games of the season mainly for Toronto’s ability to share the ball and get offensive contributions from everyone on the floor. Valanciunas led the team in rebounding in those first two games but found his offensive rhythm in the win over the Bucks.

Toronto’s starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan had 15 points apiece while new Raptor DeMarre Carroll added 14 points. Lowry also had 7 points and 4 steals. The Raptors’ supporting cast also stepped up again for the third time this season. Off the bench, Patrick Patterson netted 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting while Terrence Ross had 11 points.

Through the first two games of the season, Toronto is among the top rebounding teams in the league, outworking the Pacers and Celtics, 103-78 on the glass. The Raptors again dominated the boards against the Bucks, 46-33 and 18-7 on offensive rebounds.

Dwane Casey got his 157th win as head coach of the Raptors, the best mark for any coach for the Canadian franchise.

While the Raptors are off to a perfect start, the Bucks remained winless in three games so far this year. Worse, Milwaukee lost two of three games via embarrassing blowouts and has given up 115.3 points per game to their opponents to open the season.

The Bucks will try to recover in their next three games as they have a light schedule this week taking on the Brooklyn Nets, twice, and the New York Knicks. The Raptors will be tested in their next four outings, all on the road, when they face the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat.