TORONTO— Damian Lillard scored 37 points and had a season-high 13 assists as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Toronto Raptors 128-112 on Wednesday.

Milwaukee (7-4)’s Malik Beasley scored 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting and 8-of-11 from three.

A right calf strain sidelined Bucks standout Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Toronto (5-6) had won three of its last four until Scottie Barnes’ 29 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Jakob Poeltl scored 13 and grabbed 11.

Last November 1, the Raptors defeated the Bucks 130-111 at Scotiabank Arena.

Three teens, Tracy McGrady, Chris Bosh, and Gradey Ԁick, made their Raptors debuts at 19 years 360 days old. Ԁick scored 11 tonight.

At 2:06 in the first quarter, Poeltl scored from six feet out to finish an 8-2 run for Toronto.

The tide changed after a Bucks timeout. With Lillard’s 14 points, Milwaukee outscored the Raptors 34-12 for the rest of the session.

Ԁick’s 19-foot jumper closed the gap to 50-40 with 4:48 left in the second quarter, Toronto’s closest since 4:37 in the first.

Beasley capped the half with a 28-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Bucks their greatest lead at 70-47.

Lillard maintained his 24-point first-half pace in the third. The Bucks led 30 early after he scored eight of their opening 10 points.

The Raptors labored on both ends, disappointing the crowd, until a late quarter 8-0 run made it 98-78. Milwaukee led the final frame 100-79.

Malachi Flynn’s high-arching jumper over Brook Lopez’s outstretched arms got Toronto within 15 points with 9:19 left in the fourth quarter, prompting a Bucks timeout. Poeltl’s disputed layup two minutes later trimmed it to 107-94.

After Toronto rested its starters, Milwaukee embarked on an 11-2 run highlighted by two Cameron Payne three-pointers to lead 126-103 with 3:20 left.

Building continues

On Wednesday, Toronto was without forward O.G. Anunoby (right finger cut) and guard Gary Trent Jr. (right foot, plantar fasciitis) for the second straight game.

After losing his greatest shooters and floor spacers, Darko Rajakovic says the squad must keep improving under his system.

“There is no alternative,” Rajakovic stated pregame. We must be the squad that moves the ball. We’re building for multiple games. Building for the future.

“We’re creating habits that will stay for years with this team. I never expected it to be simple. I never imagined a bump-free path.”