Raptors Beat Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks as Kawhi Leonard Drops 30

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116 in a battle of Eastern Conference powers at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Saturday night.

Kawhi Leonard led the way for Toronto with 30 points, six assists, six rebounds and five steals, with Pascal Siakam (30 points), Serge Ibaka (25 points and nine rebounds) and Fred VanVleet (21 points) all contributing to the victory as well.

Kawhi Leonard Reel

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 18 rebounds in a losing effort for Milwaukee.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Reel

Adding Bradley Beal Would Give Raptors Clear Advantage in East

The Raptors already established themselves as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. If they are able to add Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal to the mix, they would put themselves in prime position to make it to their first-ever NBA Finals.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News recently reported Toronto had interest in Beal, with Washington said to be seeking two players and a pair of draft picks in return. Depending on the players, though, it could be a deal worth exploring.

Coming off his first All-Star selection of his career last year, the 25-year-old guard is in the midst of his best season of his seven-year career. He is averaging 23.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists, all of which would be career highs over the course of a full season.

And while Toronto doesn't have many holes, perimeter shooting is a weakness. The Raptors entered Saturday ranked 26th in the league at 33.8 percent from beyond the arc. While Beal is shooting a career-low 34.1 percent from three this season, he is a career 38.8 percent shooter from deep.

It's possible he is beginning to find his range, as he has made three-plus treys in three of his past four games.

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Beal has proven that he is fine with not being the No. 1 option in an offense while playing alongside All-Star point guard John Wall throughout his career. That means the Raptors shouldn't have to worry about Beal fitting in with MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry (who is currently nursing a back injury) and Danny Green in Toronto.

And unlike trading for Leonard, Toronto would not have to worry about possibly losing Beal after the season. Beal is signed through the 2020-21 season and owed nearly $56 million over the next two seasons. That would also help the Raptors remain competitive should Leonard leave via free agency this summer.

Toronto went bold in trading the face of its franchise, DeMar DeRozan, for Leonard. There's no telling if Lowry's injury will linger, but if it does, that could jeopardize a potentially special season.

The victory puts Toronto a half-game ahead of Milwaukee, although the Raptors remain behind the Bucks in win percentage as the result of playing three additional games to this point. Don't count out the Boston Celtics (23-15) or the Philadelphia 76ers (26-14), either. While both currently appear vulnerable, neither will be easy outs come playoff time. Meanwhile, Milwaukee hasn't made it out of the first round since 2001.

In other words, the East is there for the taking—and the Raptors need to pounce on the opportunity.

What's Next

Toronto (29-12) will be back in action Sunday when it returns home for a clash with the Indiana Pacers. Milwaukee (27-11) will be off until Monday, when it will wrap up a six-game homestand against the Utah Jazz.