Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks Apr.9/08

When Chris Bosh launched a three-pointer late in the third quarter, the Raptors all-star forward let out a guttural scream as he strutted back up the court.

The basket was part of a third-quarter Raptors surge that turned the game in Toronto's favour and helped erase the self-doubt that seemed to be creeping into the team's locker-room.

Bosh had 32 points and 11 rebounds to go with four blocks and three steals, as the Raptors ended their three-game losing streak with a 111-93 win Wednesday over the Milwaukee Bucks.

``A win always is a good remedy for things like that,'' said Bosh, when asked about the team chemistry and confidence. ``We made shots, we made good plays, we attacked the basket, we got points in the paint, things really worked out for us.''

Former Raptor Charlie Villanueva scored a season-high 38 points, including a career-high seven three-pointers, and added 12 rebounds to lead Milwaukee (26-52).

Anthony Parker finished with 18 points for Toronto (39-39), while Rasho Nesterovic and T.J. Ford finished with 14 apiece, and Andrea Bargnani added 10.

``The guys played hard and hopefully this gives them a bit of individual confidence and we're going to continue to build on tonight,'' said Raptors coach Sam Mitchell.

The one negative on the night for Bosh was the crowd of 18,569 at the Air Canada Centre, which ended a streak of nine consecutive sellouts. Bosh criticized the fans after the game for being too quiet.

``Could you hear yourself talk?'' Bosh said. ``We're getting ready for the playoffs. I'm just saying, I'm excited. I don't know if anyone else is excited, I'm not waiting for next week, I'm trying to do it right now, and that's the kind of mentality we have to take, the whole organization.''

With four games to go in the regular season, the Raptors entered Wednesday's matchup having won just four of their previous 15, and in danger of staggering into the playoffs in seventh place, which would pit them against the Detroit Pistons in the first round.

Looking to halt their recent slide, the Raptors spent a couple of practices focusing solely on defence.

``We've got to play better defence. Better defence. D. . . fence,'' a testy Mitchell said before the game. ``You know, like the people hold up that gate with the `D' and the fence? Defence. It's as simple as that.''

The work paid off. The Raptors didn't lead by more than eight points in the first half, but kept the Bucks in check save Villanueva and his hot hand. The Raptors finally took control with an energetic third quarter in which they stretched their lead to 16 points and outscored the Bucks 33-20 to take an 83-68 advantage into the fourth.

``This was our must-win game,'' said Rasho Nesterovic. ``We carried on what we did in practices the last couple of days and played like we did in practice, and I hope we're going to carry it on in the next four games and in the playoffs.''

The lottery-bound Bucks cut Toronto's lead to 10 points with 4:45 to go, but that was as close as they would come as five consecutive points by Parker, including a three with 2:45 left, put the Raptors back up by 16, and Toronto cruised to a much-needed win.

The Raptors shot 54 per cent on the night, and held the Bucks to 42 per cent. Both teams grabbed 41 rebounds. Toronto outscored the Bucks 48-32 in the paint.

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• Apr.9/08

[RealTalkDG]

Charlie V is sick

[1234567rahul]

i was at the game

[blazerfreak1996]

Love when the big man can hit the triple! go Bucks!

[dhruvygroovy15]

What a beast. If only he was on a better team.

[GMPro24]

wow Milwaukee made a huge mistake of not passing to Charlie V...if the mans on fire..feed him the god damn ball!!!

[masterking999]

raptors finnallyyy win

[TheRealBeeQue]

wow thats crazy

[Spondinnanzi]

Non capisco come mai Bargnani sia ancora in panchina se guardate le statistiche di questa partita potete vedere che con un minutaggio inferiore ha fatto poco meno di Nesterovic!!Smitch boh