TORONTO — Despite missing the morning shootaround with a stiff back, point guard Kyle Lowry was in the Raptors’ starting lineup for Game 5 of their opening-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
The team’s medical staff worked on Lowry’s back in the morning before sending him home to rest. Toronto coach Dwane Casey said prior to the game that Lowry’s back felt better and he was going to test it during warmups.
Apparently it passed muster. Norman Powell remained in Toronto’s starting lineup, again at the expense of Jonas Valanciunas.
Lowry averaged 14.3 points over the first four games, second only to DeMar DeRozan’s 22.8 points a night.
The series was tied after four games. Game 6 is in Milwaukee on Thursday.