Bucks Blast Raptors Home Opener

Ray Allen scored 17 points and survived a hard fall to the floor alongside Charles Oakley as the Milwaukee Bucks spoiled Toronto's home opener with a 91-77 win Tuesday night at historic Maple Leaf Gardens.

Allen, who left the game in the third with a sore back, came back in the fourth and hit two free throws to spark an 11-0 run that sealed the game.

Glenn Robinson finished with 16 points, Dell Curry added 15 off the bench and Terrell Brandon had 14.

Vince Carter led the Raptors with 22 points. Kevin Willis had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Dee Brown scored 13 off the bench. Toronto's starting backcourt of Alvin Williams and Doug Christie went scoreless.

With Milwaukee leading by four points with five minutes to go in the third, Allen got tangled up with Oakley while fighting for a rebound. Oakley got up quickly but Allen remained on the floor for a minute grimacing in pain.

Allen came back with 8:57 to go in the fourth, and his two free throws started the 11-0 run. Robinson followed with a 19-foot jumper and a free throw, Brandon made a jumper and a layup and Vinny Del Degro finished the run with a jumper

While Maple Leaf Gardens is known for its 68-year-old hockey tradition, the soon-to-be-vacated arena was the site of the NBA's first game on Nov. 1, 1946, when the New York Knicks beat the Toronto Huskies 68-66.

The Maple Leafs will close the Gardens when they host the Chicago Blackhawks this Saturday.

The Raptors, who have played six games at the Maple Leaf Gardens, have two games left at SkyDome before moving into their new home Feb. 21.

The Raptors were down 47-40 at halftime despite shooting 28 percent from the field. Allen scored 10 points in the first quarter.

Notes: The Huskies folded after one season.... Before the game, Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald thanked the fans. The players also threw basketballs into the stands.... Three thousand fans sat in the upper level seats of Maple Leaf Gardens for free.... Last season, the Bucks took three of four games from the Raptors.... Actor Denzel Washington was in attendance. ... The Raptors are 1-5 at Maple Leaf Gardens.

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