Last night the Toronto Raptors picked up a big 111 to 105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. This came right after a four-game skid and felt like a breath of fresh air. It was the kind of road win that reminded everyone why this season has felt different. It was fun, competitive, and full of belief right through the roster.
How the Game Unfolded
Toronto struck early, building a double-digit lead with efficient shooting from deep and great ball movement. Milwaukee battled back, trimming the lead and even grabbing a brief edge early in the second half. But the Raptors would respond with an 8-0 run late in the third, regain control, and carry that momentum into the fourth quarter. In the end the Bucks made a final push, but Toronto’s poise down the stretch sealed the win.
Top Performers on Both Sides
Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 29 points and 8 rebounds, showing why he has become a go-to scorer night in and night out. Scottie Barnes was tremendous with 24 points and 11 rebounds, doing all the little things that make big differences. Sandro Mamukelashvili added 18 points and 7 boards off the bench, giving the Raptors another dimension on offence and on the glass. Jamal Shead had a solid game as well, contributing with playmaking and energy.
Milwaukee got strong production from Bobby Portis (24 points, 12 rebounds), Kevin Porter Jr (22 points, 13 assists), and Myles Turner (21 points). But without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was out again as he continued to recover from a calf injury, and Kyle Kuzma, who missed the game with an illness, the Bucks never quite had enough firepower late in the fourth.
Where the Standings Sit
This win helped the Raptors improve their overall record and hold down a top placement in the Eastern Conference at the time. They were sitting near second place in the East heading into the next set of games, still within striking distance of first. A win like this on the road against a conference foe was exactly what they needed to keep pace with the teams above them and stay in serious positioning for playoff seeding.
To truly chase the top spot, the Raptors will need to keep consistent effort on both ends of the floor, continue sharing the scoring load, and limit turnovers and easy buckets on defence.
Why This Win Felt Especially Good
This game felt like redemption. After hitting that rough patch, Toronto responded with back-to-back road wins (first at Miami, then at Milwaukee). That resiliency speaks volumes about this roster’s growth and mental toughness. They played with pace, shared the ball, defended with urgency, and executed better in clutch moments.
As a long-time Raptors fan who has seen the ups and downs of multiple seasons, getting wins like this on the road is exciting. Watching Ingram take over when it mattered, seeing Barnes dominate inside, and getting contributions from role players like Mamukelashvili and Shead makes this team feel very good right now.
What Needs to Happen Next
If the Raptors want to stay in serious contention, here’s what will matter most going forward:
• Stay sharp on defence early in games so that they don’t have to fight through big holes.
• Continue winning close matchups — late game poise has to stay tight.
• Keep getting bench contributions beyond the starters so the offence does not go cold.
• Manage injuries and minutes carefully as the schedule gets heavier this winter.
If they keep performing the way they did last night, this roster could be a force down the stretch and into the postseason.
Final Thoughts from a Proud, Excited Fan
Last night reminded me why I am so fired up about this Raptors season. There were nights in the past where road games like this felt like losses before tip off. Now? The Raptors went in, played with confidence, and came out with a statement win.
This team is fun to watch. They care about winning the little moments, and they are starting to make the leap from “playoff hopeful” to “legitimate contender.” If they keep improving and clicking as a unit, I will be watching every game with a big smile on my face.
đź‘Ź Let’s Go Raptors   👏
