(Toronto) Gary Trent Jr. had 23 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 121-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon in a game where both teams chose to leave out a few of their best players ahead of the NBA playoffs.
Precious Achiuwa contributed to the Raptors’ 41-41 win with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Sent to the court as a substitute player, Malachi Flynn amassed 20 points, a personal high this season.
In the Bucks’ 58-24 loss, Bobby Portis Jr. had 16 points, while Meyers Leonard had 10 points and 12 assists.
Team leading scorer Pascal Siakam, guard Fred VanVleet and defensive stalwart OG Anunoby all missed Sunday’s game for Toronto.
The Raptors finished the season ranked ninth in the NBA Eastern Conference standings.
On Wednesday they will host the Chicago Bulls, who finished in 10e spot, in a qualifying game for a potential playoff spot.
Already assured of posting the best record in the NBA, the Bucks chose to give leave to their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, guard Jrue Holiday and center Brook Lopez.
Before the game started, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said Trent Jr. would play as many minutes as he could.
Trent Jr. has missed a significant number of games with an elbow injury and lower back spasms.
“He’s been training hard for the last 10 days,” Nurse said of preparing Trent Jr. for Wednesday’s game.
“But there’s nothing like action during a game to try to bring him back. We will definitely need him. »
Trent Jr. led both clubs in the first quarter with 14 points. His three 3-pointers helped the Raptors take a 35-26 lead.
The Raptors ended the campaign with four straight wins at home. They have posted a record of .500 or more in eight of their last nine years.