Teammates credit Lowry, DeRozan for composure after blowing lead

Things didn't look good for the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter Thursday, as the Milwaukee Bucks went on a 34-7 run to reclaim the lead.

Following a Jason Terry 3-pointer that put the Bucks up two with just over three minutes left in Game 6, the Raptors called a timeout. Their 25-point advantage from the third quarter had vanished, while the Bucks had the crowd behind them and all the momentum in the world.

The Raptors could've conceded this wasn't their night and headed back north for Game 7, but their leaders refused to let that happen.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan led the way, both vocally and on the court, to lift Toronto over Milwaukee 92-89 and into the second round.

"Down the stretch, Kyle and DeMar were Kyle and DeMar," Patrick Patterson told reporters postgame, crediting the All-Star backcourt for the club's resilience.

"Hats off to them, them talking, calming us down in the huddle, being those leaders, just reassuring us that we're fine."

Cory Joseph is no stranger high-stakes games from his days with the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won a championship in 2014.

He said that amid all the tension, Lowry and Derozan spent the break from the game "trying to get everybody on the same page" while he tried to calm down his teammates and make sure they stuck together.

Sophomore Norman Powell, whose insertion into the starting lineup coincided with Toronto's three straight victories to close the series, indicated he and his teammates benefited from that encouragement from the more experienced players and coaches.

Related: How Norman Powell has neutralized the Bucks and saved Toronto's season

Patterson said DeRozan and Lowry emphasized there was still enough time on the clock to make a run and seal the victory.

"And that's exactly what happened. We were able to get stops, protected the rim, and pushed the ball on the offensive side," the power forward said.

Indeed, ball movement, clutch free throws, and some hero ball from Deebo saw Toronto respond with a 9-0 run that put the Bucks away. DeRozan finished with a team-high 32 points to go along with five steals, four rebounds, and three assists, while Lowry chipped in 13 points, four assists, and four boards.