Milwaukee Bucks pulled one out in grand style for their third in a row on Wednesday evening as they mounted to a thorough 130-112 beat down of the Toronto Raptors. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard lit up the scoreboard with 61 combined. Giannis had 35 points and 13 rebounds, while Dame had 26 points. They offered advice to their opponents on the very reasons why this duo is among the best in the league.

Despite the scoreboard telling a happy tale, Head Coach Doc Rivers had mixed feelings about the game. The team built a big early lead, but he wasn’t thrilled with their defensive effort or ball movement at times. “We can’t just trade baskets,” Rivers said post-game. His comments show the Bucks aren’t just chasing wins—they’re chasing greatness.

The win also marked the Bucks’ first season series sweep of the Raptors since 2012-13. That’s a satisfying milestone, but Rivers’ focus remains on the bigger picture. With playoffs on the horizon, the team has areas to fine-tune, even as they continue to rack up wins.

Doc Rivers: Defensive Consistency Still a Work in Progress

For all their offensive firepower, the Bucks’ defense remains a talking point. Rivers didn’t hold back his frustrations about the team’s lapses after their dominant first quarter. “We’ve been telling the guys: defense isn’t something you can take breaks from,” he said. “We need the same intensity from start to finish.”

The Bucks got off to a great start and built a comfortable lead. But their second-quarter defensive letdown allowed the Raptors to make some mini-runs. The final score wasn’t really in doubt, but games like this are reminders. Good teams capitalize on mistakes, and great teams don’t let them happen.

Things weren’t great on the offensive side either. The ball didn’t move like it was supposed to, especially during the second half. “We’ve been good at setting the tone early,” Rivers said. “But we need to keep that rhythm going for all four quarters.” How the Bucks play physically and consistently will be their biggest test as they face tougher opponents.

Adding a little late-game drama was a fourth-quarter moment when Raptors coach Nick Nurse called a timeout and cleared his bench. Rivers, expecting a different play, quickly adjusted by subbing out his starters too. “I thought he was running a set, but then I saw what he was doing, so we matched him,” Rivers explained. It’s a small moment, but it reflects the chess match that happens even in seemingly lopsided games.

This win was another step in the right direction, and the Bucks’ three-game streak is proof they’re finding their groove. But as Rivers keeps reminding his players, there’s always more to improve. If Milwaukee can lock in on both ends of the floor, they’ll be a nightmare matchup for anyone to come playoff time.