TORONTO — Before his Toronto Raptors embarked on the difficult challenge of defending Milwaukee Bucks standout Giannis Antetokounmpo, head coach Darko Rajakovic called the two-time NBA MVP one of the top three basketball players in the world.

After Antetokounmpo poured in a game-high 31 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Bucks’ 122-116 win at Scotiabank Arena on Friday, the Raptors head coach described the Bucks’ 6-foot-11 forward as a force of nature.

“I think Giannis is Giannis,” Rajakovic said. “He can do his thing there. We have to control that better.”

“It's tough,” Toronto point guard Immanuel Quickley added. “He puts a lot of pressure on your defence. He’s almost seven-feet tall, strong, and he can dribble.”

Antetokounmpo also nailed a couple of critical three-pointers and ad

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