Without Joel Embiid, Paul George and Khris Middleton, all injured or convalescing, this duel between Philadelphia and Milwaukee, two contenders for the Eastern Conference crown, was marked by the clumsiness of the two teams at the start of the match. It takes all the aggression towards the circle of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis (16 points) to give the Bucks the advantage, but the entry of Guerschon Yabusele (10 points) allows the Sixers to pick up and take the lead at the buzzer , on a lay-up from Tyrese Maxey (23-22).
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, the leader (25 points on 10/31 shooting) is far too lonely, despite his teammates' nine offensive rebounds in the first half. The Sixers' attack floundered against Milwaukee's physical defense, as Damian Lillard and Taurean Prince (16 points, 4/5 at 3-points) scored three winning shots in a row to finish a 21-9 which gave eleven points to lead to the Bucks at halftime (58-47).
Damian Lillard and Taurean Prince outbid each other after the break. The two players make six out of six from afar to punish the Sixers' risky defense on pick & roll.
Damian Lillard's 15 points in the third quarter put the Bucks at +22 (100-78). Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr (21 points) attempt a last stand in the final minutes but the Sixers start too far away to worry Milwaukee. Doc Rivers' men therefore impose themselves logically and with style.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Milwaukee’s defense marks its return. Among the best defenses in the league with Mike Budenholzer at their head for several seasons, the Bucks got lost last season. Doc Rivers announced during training camp that he wanted a physical defense and his players respected this instruction to the letter. Behind the activity of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the six blocks of Brook Lopez, and a Gary Trent Jr. who whipped Tyrese Maxey, the Bucks imposed their style of play, limiting Philadelphia to 41% success on shots, including 25% at 3-points. The only downside is the Sixers' 17 offensive rebounds.
– Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo ruthless. The two Bucks stars haven't seen each other all summer and that didn't stop them from wreaking havoc on the Sixers floor. The Greek was omnipresent on both sides of the field, punishing the Sixers with his repeated drives. Damian Lillard, for his part, scored 26 of his 30 points in the second and third quarters at 6/12 at 3-points to allow Milwaukee to make the hole. In their wake, the entire Bucks collective shone, finishing with 27 assists and 16/37 from distance.
– First noticed for Guerschon Yabusele. Like his bench colleagues Caleb Martin (12 points, 9 rebounds) and Kyle Lowry (13 points), the Frenchman performed well for his first NBA game in more than five years. He finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, and was one of the positive points for Nick Nurse in a very complicated match. The former Real Madrid player confirms his good preseason and his usefulness in the Sixers rotation.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
