The Philadelphia 76ers came into Fiserv Forum to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks. Both teams were trying to snap their short skids as they were each on a 2-game losing streak. In a showdown between MVP candidates Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, they bought their A-game. Nonetheless, Antetokounmpo knew he had to make his case in front of his home crowd.
The Bucks got it going early as they took a 10-0 start, making all 4 of their baskets. Doc Rivers did not like what he was seeing from his Sixers and called a quick time out. After talking it over, the former Buck – George Hill got them on the board. At the 7:31 mark, the Bucks were up by as much as 16. Eventually, that lead stretched to 20 with about 4 minutes to go. It was a 40-26 game going into the second.
At the start of the second quarter, the Bucks were still on a roll and went on another run. Just when the Sixers were starting to inch back, it would not mean much. Their defense could not control the Bucks offense that was shooting 67% from the field and 61% from deep. As a result, the Bucks led 77-60 at the break.
In the third quarter, the Sixers came out with a different agenda. Just 3 minutes into it, they made it an 11-point game. It would not be long until the Bucks came back though. Before you knew it, they were up by 19 a little under the halfway point. However, the Sixers cut it to 9 with about 2 minutes left. That is as close as they were able to get. Bobby Portis hit three 3-pointers and the Bucks’ lead blew to 21. The score going into the fourth was 108-87.
During the fourth, the Sixers started to make their way back once again. They put 103 on the board but by that time, the Bucks had already put up a buck 20. With a minute left, it was a 13-point game. All 4 quarters were in favor the Bucks. The Sixers never took control and could not get their feet under them. In the end, the Bucks would walk away with a 124-117 win.
Giannis finished with a double-double earning 27 points and 16 rebounds. Behind him was Khris Middleton with 24 points and Portis with 23.
On the other end, Joel Embiid led his Sixers with 24 points. When asked whether he looked fatigue, coach Doc Rivers noted “everyone did.”
“Everybody seemed fatigue, I don’t think it’s just Joel,” he said. “Joel played better than most of our guys tonight.”
Up Next:
The Bucks will host the Sixers again on Saturday, April 24th at 3:30pm.
