Raptors bench records season-low 7 points in loss to Bucks

TORONTO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) — The Toronto Raptors’ bench scored a season-low seven points in a 107-96 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in NBA action on Sunday afternoon.

Coming into the game, the Toronto reserves were ranked eighth in the league, averaging 37.9 points per game.

They were less than four points behind the San Antonio Spurs, who lead the league with 41.7 points per game. The Portland Trail Blazers are ranked last with 10.6 bench points per game.

Raptors head coach Dwane Casey does not blame the bench for the loss, as they have been consistent all season.

“Our bench has been great all year, I can’t commend them enough on how they come in and change the game or at least maintain it for us,” said Casey during the post-game press conference. “Today, for whatever reason their bench came in and outplayed us.”

The Bucks bench outscored the Raptors 43-7, something Casey does not expect to continue going forward.

“It’ s not like it’ s broken, they had one bad day and it cost us because they have been producing and doing a heck of a job up until today,” said Casey.

Prior to today’s performance, the lowest points scored by the bench this season were against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The bench recorded twelve points on November 10, 2012 in Philadelphia. Two months later, the bench bested that mark by one with eleven points when the Sixers visited Toronto.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sports/2013-01/14/c_132100117.htm