TORONTO — Putting Norm Powell in the starting lineup has changed the playoff fortunes of the Toronto Raptors.
Powell scored a career playoff-high 25 points, Kyle Lowry had 16 points and 10 assists and the Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-93 in Game 5 of their first-round series on Monday night.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Powell has been "a spark plug."
"In this series, he's been the X-factor," Casey said.
Serge Ibaka scored 19 points and DeMar DeRozan had 18 for the Raptors, who can advance to face defending champion Cleveland in the second round with a victory in Game 6 at Milwaukee on Thursday night.