There was little for a sparse Bradley Center crowd of 12,599 to cheer until the last 15 minutes. The Raptors solid play began unravelling at the end of the third quarter, with the likes of Jason Kapono struggling from long range and the Bucks getting too many second-chance points. When coach Jay Triano elected to sit Chris Bosh to start the fourth quarter, it meant all three of the team's cornerstones were out.

Bosh returned to complete a 31-point night, his best outing since 39 against Charlotte on Nov. 26, capped by two free throws that put Toronto up by three. But treys by Charlie Bell and Luke Ridnour and Will Solomon's miss at the other end secured the win. Michael Redd broke out for a game-high 35 points for Milwaukee (17-19).

Both teams had big pre-seasons aspirations, but are below .500. Toronto held a 10-point lead through much of the first half, after Bosh hit on his first four attempts. But, keep in mind that seven times this season, the Raps have lost games in which they held double-digit advantages. Milwaukee's bench bailed out cold starters such as Richard Jefferson and Ridnour with 17 points.

The Raptors, 14-21, now head to Washington with a day of rest while the Wizards have a tough game in Orlando and didn't return home until the early hours today.

Earlier yesterday, Triano was quick to assure the improved play of Andrea Bargnani in O'Neal's place and the point guard platoon of Solomon and Roko Ukic - who've assumed Calderon's role - would not be a permanent fixture.

"If guys play well, are you going to bench a Calderon?," Triano asked in jest. "But you might be able to buy him more minutes if you can play as effective over a long period of time."

As for keeping Bargnani in the picture with O'Neal in some kind of big three starters' group with Bosh, Triano said he'd cross that bridge when O'Neal is back. Bargnani had 21 points last night.

"Has (Bargnani) played better as a starter? Yes, but he's played better since the Christmas break (off the bench).

"There was a lull for him when he didn't play well and that's a confidence thing. He came back with a great attitude after Christmas with no practices and getting off his feet a couple of days. He's been good (since), whether he's starting or not."

Ukic, an NBA rookie, was hitting the wall, too, as the Croat adjusted to the hectic schedule, travel and practice regimen, yet went through a stretch where he saw little or no game time.

"In the first couple of years it might be tough," Triano said of Ukic. "That's why you have to find an even keel over 82 games.

"He's got to learn that, but so far, he's handled everything well. He comes to practice and he works hard. He hasn't let not playing stop him. He can't worry about not playing yesterday or even if he played well yesterday. It's another day. It's a mental focus that you have to bring every day."