Fred VanVleet scored 29 points (13 in the fourth quarter), and the Toronto Raptors beat the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks 97-93.
The Raptors took control with a 16-4 run in the second quarter and led by as many as 11.
During clutch time, the Raptors outscored the Bucks 8-5. VanVleet scored 6 of the Raptors’ 8 on 1 for 1 shooting and 4 for 4 at the line.
Pascal Siakam had 20 points (12 in the paint) and 8 rebounds, and Scottie Barnes added 13 points and 3 steals.
For the Bucks, Jrue Holiday had 26 points and 8 assists, and Khris Middleton added 22 points and 8 rebounds.
The Raptors shot 42.0% from the field to the Bucks’ 37.6%. The Bucks gave up 15 offensive rebounds, about 5 more than usual for the shots the Raptors missed. The Bucks’ starters outscored the Raptors 39-24 in 15 minutes together. Siakam fouled out.