Raptors eliminate Bucks despite squandering 25-point lead
It wasn't easy, but the Toronto Raptors finally did it.
The club defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 92-89 on Thursday night to claim the first-round series 4-2, and set up a date in the East semifinals with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
By avoiding a Game 7, Toronto closed out a series in fewer than the maximum number of games for the first time in franchise history. The club also won its first ever Game 6 on the road, having gone 0-3 under head coach Dwane Casey and 0-4 all time.
The Raptors led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter of Game 6 before the Bucks rallied and took the lead thanks to a 3-pointer by veteran Jason Terry. The visitors answered with a 9-0 run of their own, highlighted by a ferocious two-handed dunk by star DeMar DeRozan in the final minute of the contest.
With their season in jeopardy, the Bucks didn't give up. The young squad got within one possession with 16.5 seconds remaining, only for DeRozan to sink four free throws to put the game away.
The All-Star shooting guard finished with a team-high 32 points (12-of-24 from the field and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe) to go along with five steals, four rebounds, and three dimes. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee, registering 34 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals in the defeat.
The Raptors are set to face the Cavs in a rematch of last year's East finals, which Cleveland claimed in six games. Toronto went 1-3 versus the defending champs during the regular season. LeBron James and Co. have been off since last Sunday, when they completed a series sweep against the Indiana Pacers.
Game 1 is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.
Related: Cavs-Raptors series to begin Monday