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Adrian Griffin praises Malik Beasley’s strong game versus the Raptors
Giannis Antetokounmpo was out, and Damian Lillard was expected to supply the needed firepower. Malik Beasley made sure that Lillard would get ample support as he played his best game as a Milwaukee player in the Bucks’ vengeful 128-112 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Malik went into a beast mode
The offseason acquisition had his highest scoring output as a Buck, shooting 8-for-11 from three-point land en route to finishing with a season-high 30 points. Beasley went 11-of-14 from the field and added four rebounds and one steal in a solid 31 minutes of play.
Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin said Beasley’s performance was something that the team expected when they acquired the 19th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft during the offseason.
“He made a lot of timely shots. That’s what he’s here for. He’s an unbelievable shooter,” said Griffin.
The Raptors raced to an 8-2 start, but the Bucks retaliated with Beasley scoring eight points anchored on two three-pointers in a run that put the Bucks ahead, 19-8.
The Bucks achieved their largest lead in the contest, 93-60, when Beasley sank a triple at the 5:05 mark of the third period. Malik's scoring outburst complemented Damian Lillard’s equally stellar game as the seven-time All-Star erupted for 37 points and a season-high 13 assists.
Malik’s favorite opponent?
The win allowed the Bucks to avenge their 111-130 loss to the Raptors last November 1st as they improved to 7-4 in the season.
Interestingly, Malik’s previous season-high in points came during the loss to Toronto, when the 10-year veteran scored 20 points.
Giannis was out due to a calf injury, but with Lillard and Beasley torching the net, the Greek Freak’s absence hardly mattered.
