The start of the match is worthy of a meeting between two contenders in the East, with great intensity. Damian Lillard is immediately on the right track with his team's first seven points. Philadelphia held on thanks to the Tyrese Maxey – Paul Reed duo in attack, and by trapping Giannis Antetokounmpo from two defenders on the other side of the floor. The Greek found a little air with a shot from behind the arc, at the heart of a festival of long shots from both teams. It ended abruptly for the Sixers, completely extinguished with the release of their major tandem: Nick Nurse's players chained 12 missed shots! Between them, Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley only score two points less than all of their opponents after one quarter (21-35).
On the ropes, the locals regain some juice with the return of the holders to the floor, but the improvement is very short-lived. Giannis Antetokounmpo struggling, Milwaukee finds in Bobby Portis an ideal replacement lieutenant (15 points at 6/8 shooting including 3/3 at 3-points in the 1st period). Philly is not there offensively, between lack of traffic and forced shots. Lillard takes the opportunity to pick up his work where he left off. “Dame” is irresistible and the gap is growing visibly with an exceptional 13/22 3-pointer for the Bucks. Everything succeeds for them like the last action of the first period, a completely crazy pass the entire length of the field from “Giannis” for Brook Lopez alone under the circle, and a gap of 21 points at rest.
The Sixers chase the score
The Sixers' affairs did not improve after returning from the locker room as Paul Reed took his fourth and fifth fouls with 20 minutes to play, leaving the Philadelphia racket a little more depopulated. Giannis Antetokounmpo did not hesitate with 14 points in the third quarter. However, it is with the “Greek Freak” as the main creator and Damian Lillard on the bench that the locals find a second wind. De'Anthony Melton acts as the first detonator and sets the tone. Philadelphia limits the opponent's open shots and launches the revolt: 7/12 from a distance in the third quarter after a 6/21 in the first period!
But the Sixers repeatedly miss the opportunity to go below ten points. And they are punished by the calm of the Bucks, buoyed by their defensive efforts to break the opposing momentum. Their chance of hold-up has passed, Milwaukee shows seriousness to restore the score to a proportion more in line with the scenario of the match.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Giannis Antetokounmpo's rant was well heard. Furious with his team's attitude before the All-Star Game break, the Greek can be satisfied with his reaction. After the victory against Minnesota, the Bucks were the bosses throughout the match, almost never releasing the pressure. With 32 assists, Milwaukee found a reference match in attack, while limiting the Sixers below 100 points.
The Philadelphia lieutenants get through it. Without Joel Embiid, every game is complicated for the Sixers. But if in addition Tyrese Maxey is abandoned by his right-hand men of the moment… Tobias Harris and Buddy Hield were transparent (7/24 cumulative shooting), while Paul Reed and his too-quick mistakes were costly in the paint.
It's time for Embiid to return… The outgoing MVP won't be re-examined for another week, but Philadelphia can only cross its fingers for good news. The evening meeting confirmed the weakness of the Sixers near the circle, especially once Reed can no longer be on the floor. Nic Nurse played without an interior for long sequences rather than trusting Mo Bamba, or even Darius Bazley. Far too little to limit players as strong as Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
