Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates with his teammates after a play in Wednesday’s 128-112 win in Toronto.
TORONTO (AP) — Damian Lillard had 37 points and a season-high 13 assists, Malik Beasley scored a season-high 30 points and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to beat the Toronto Raptors 128-112 on Wednesday night.
“The situation was right for it,” Lillard said of his big night. “With Giannis not playing I knew I would have more responsibility, I knew I would have to be more aggressive and kind of assert myself from a playmaking and scoring standpoint.”
Lillard shot 9 for 18 and made 15 of 16 at the free throw line.
“That’s the Dame we all know,” Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez said. “It was great to see him in a good rhythm, comfortable out there and leading the team.”
Antetokounmpo missed his first game of the season after playing the first 10, sitting out because of a strained right calf. He played 35 minutes in Monday’s win over Chicago, finishing with 35 points and 11 rebounds. The 7-footer is averaging 29.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Bobby Portis scored 18 points for Milwaukee and Cameron Payne had 13.
