Gary Trent Jr. leads Raptors previous Bucks in regular-season finale

Gary Trent Jr. scored 23 factors because the Toronto Raptors downed the Milwaukee Bucks 121-105, with each groups resting key gamers Sunday forward of the NBA playoffs.

Valuable Achiuwa had a double-double for Toronto (41-41) with 14 factors and 13 rebounds. Malachi Flynn scored a season-high 20 off the bench.

Bobby Portis Jr. scored 16 for Milwaukee (58-24) and Meyers Leonard earned a double-double with 10 factors and 12 assists.

Raptors main scorer Pascal Siakam, level guard Fred VanVleet, and defensive stalwart O.G. Anunoby all sat out the regular-season finale to relaxation earlier than the post-season.

The Raptors completed ninth within the NBA’s Jap Convention and can host the No. 10 Chicago Bulls in a play-in recreation Wednesday.

Milwaukee had already clinched the most effective document within the NBA and rested famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo, level guard Jrue Vacation and centre Brook Lopez.

Toronto head coach Nick Nurse stated earlier than the sport that Trent would play “as many minutes as he can deal with,” after the taking pictures guard missed important time with an elbow harm and decrease again spasms.

“He’s been on the market working fairly onerous for the final 10 days,” stated Nurse of Trent’s preparation for Wednesday’s play-in recreation. 

“However there may be nothing like some recreation reps to attempt to get him again. We’re actually going to want him.”

Goran Dragic was booed by a sellout of 19,800 at Scotiabank Enviornment when he got here off Milwaukee’s bench within the first quarter. 

Dragic performed 5 video games for Toronto within the 2021-22 season earlier than stepping away from the staff for “private causes,” and resulting in his commerce to San Antonio. 

The Spurs purchased out his contract 5 days later.

Trent led all scorers with 14 factors after the primary quarter. His three three-pointers keyed the Raptors to their early 35-26 lead.

Nurse turned to his bench for a lot of the second quarter, however Trent added six extra level to his complete. 

Toronto native and reserve guard Dalano Banton scored 9 factors in his six minutes of play because the Raptors constructed a 67-55 earlier than the intermission.

Guard Will Barton stripped Milwaukee’s MarJon Beauchamp of the ball simply previous the halfway level of the third for the sixth of eight Raptors’ steals within the recreation.

Toronto set a single-season franchise document of 772 complete steals to surpass the 1997-98 season (769). 

The Raptors averaged a league-best 9.4 steals per recreation this season.

Achiuwa led all scorers within the third quarter, incomes 10 factors as Toronto led by as a lot as 18 factors. 

Achiuwa introduced the gang to its toes with a large one-handed jam earlier within the quarter and the Raptors went into the ultimate interval with a 95-79 lead.

Ron Harper Jr. made a 24-foot three-pointer with 6:53 left to play to increase Toronto’s result in 20 factors. 

The Raptors didn’t let up, with rookie centre Christian Koloko’s free throw the ultimate rating of the sport.

It was Toronto’s fourth straight house victory. The Raptors have completed above .500 eight the final 9 seasons.

JURASSIC PARK — Preparation started exterior Scotiabank Enviornment for playoff viewing events for each the Raptors and the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. A courtyard west of the sector was cordoned off with a stage set as much as host followers watching the Raptors play-in recreation on out of doors screens. The Maple Leafs are at present the second seed within the NHL’s Jap Convention, with that league’s post-season beginning April 17.

UP NEXT — Toronto hosts a play-in recreation Wednesday towards the Chicago Bulls.

The winner meets the loser of the seventh and eighth seeds recreation between the Miami Warmth and Atlanta Hawks on Friday.