"Changed the momentum for us"- Mike Budenholzer raves about Brook Lopez for being the catalyst against the Raptors

Brook Lopez led a fourth-quarter rally to help the Milwaukee Bucks to a come-from-behind win over the Toronto Raptors. Lopez had 17 of his 26 points in the final 12 minutes of the game.

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer had this to say about Lopez's performance:

"He changed the game. What he did offensively was important and the defense always stands out. ... He stepped up and changed our feeling and changed the momentum for us, which we needed tonight."

"He stepped up and changed our feeling and changed the momentum for us which we needed tonight."

Coach Bud praising the play of Brook Lopez! 🎤 #FearTheDeer https://t.co/k2wrbcI4Jj

The Milwaukee Bucks were playing on their homecourt but the Toronto Raptors went toe-to-toe against them. Toronto is desperately trying to keep the ninth spot, which goes with one of two play-in tickets.

The first half ended with the Bucks holding on to a 58-56 lead. Fred VanVleet and O.G. Anunody went hot in the third quarter, which helped the Raptors outscore the home team 39-31.

The Milwaukee Bucks quickly started their rally as they entered the final period. Brook Lopez scored the team's first eight points to set the tone for the rally. His two dunks during the said stretch sent a bolt of energy to the Fiserv Forum crowd.

Once the Bucks had the momentum behind Lopez's sizzling start to the last quarter, they never let go of it. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday joined Lopez in the final minutes of the game to put the lid on the Raptors' coffin.

Brook Lopez played 32 minutes and ended with a game-high 26 points to go with five rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks. When Lopez joins the fray on offense, the Bucks have an added dimension that is sure to cause trouble for opponents.

Defenses will now have to account for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Lopez. It's a quartet that has done it all and will prove to be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

Brook Lopez's defense shines despite the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday

The Milwaukee Bucks employ two of the NBA's best defenders in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday. Both usually get credit for their stellar play on the gritty side of the floor. Antetokounmpo is a former Defensive Player of the Year winner while Holiday is a perennial member of the All-Defense team.

Brook Lopez has been somewhat overlooked because of the Bucks' two superstars. Lopez's impact, however, has not gone unnoticed this season.

When Lopez played just 13 games last season due to a debilitating back injury, Milwaukee finished 14th in defensive rating. He has played in 68 games this season and the Bucks are third in that category.

With Brook Lopez having legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidacy equity, dont want this play to get lost in the sands of time. Game on the line, first he denies Steph in the corner and then comes all the way over to block what looked like a wide open layup. https://t.co/Ouj0FtsSdr

The Bucks' 110.0 DRTG is the third-best in the league behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies. Brook Lopez is averaging 2.5 blocks per game, which also ranks third in the NBA.

Milwaukee's defense is battle-tested on the biggest stage in the NBA. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday disrupting play all over the place and Lopez manning the paint, the Bucks will be tough to beat.

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