Second game and second loss for the Sixers, who fell last night on the occasion of their first at home against Milwaukee. While we were expecting a revolted Philly team after a first setback in an electric atmosphere in Boston, nothing happened. Worse, we had to wait until the last quarter to witness the awakening of the locals.
It was indeed the Bucks who got off to the best start, relying in particular on an inspired Giannis Antetokounmpo like his 2+1 or his 3-point basket which allowed his team to turn to +6 after 12 minutes (24-30). Without necessarily shining, the locals managed to get back in the game in the second quarter, with the welcome contribution of De’Anthony Melton to accompany a Harden-Embiid tandem that was not aggressive enough (45-47 at the break).
The confirmation did not take long since Milwaukee took off as soon as the locker room returned. The Bucks were first able to count on a Brook Lopez in the oven and in the mill, on the block twice and on the finish. It was then on a 13-2 notably powered by Wes Matthews and Bobby Portis that Milwaukee regained its distance (57-68).
Relegated to ten lengths at the entrance of the last act, the Sixers finally managed to ignite their public, revived by three baskets in a row and two throws from James Harden. Joel Embiid (and Giannis Antetokounmpo) on the bench, Philly then managed to equalize at 80-80, after a 3-pointer from Tobias Harris and a counter-attacking lay-up from “The Beard” to conclude a 13-0 .
The “money-time” was spiced up, with a precious James Harden to get in two jumpers at mid-distance. Philly even believed in the heist when Giannis Antetokounmpo missed two shots, leaving it to PJ Tucker to put the locals in the lead (88-86).
It then took all the composure of Wes Matthews, author of a “catch-and-shoot” and Brook Lopez to sanction the final failed attempt of James Harden, in order to see Milwaukee snatch the victory, 90-88.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The successful first of the Bucks. Deprived of Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton and Joe Ingles, and despite a match with a rather light pace, Mike Budenholzer’s troops managed to make their debut on the floor of one of the competitors in the Top 4 in the East. We can particularly mention the rather well-managed end of the match in Milwaukee, between the system which allowed Wes Matthews to benefit from a good 3-point shot where the Sixers were perhaps waiting for Giannis Antetokounmpo. For his good defense on James Harden on the last possession, Jrue Holiday was also a late game changer, until Brook Lopez finished the job.
– A rematch. The two teams were still in the running-in phase, and it was seen, with regard to the many approximations which enamelled this match, between the sometimes comical losses of ball of the Bucks in the heart of the storm during the 13-0 of the locals, or the pitiful 5/24 from the Sixers from 3-point range. The final score also shows that the defenses tended to take precedence over the attacks, which are still in search of improvement.
– No 100 points. The Bucks and Sixers signed the first game of the season without a 100-plus point roster. So far, ALL of the competing teams have hit that mark, and it hasn’t happened since 1966. Back then, there were only nine franchises.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak” still made 21 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks almost without forcing, not bad for a recovery game. Conscious of his state of form, he did not do too much. Apart from his two missed shots at the end, he even played rather fair.
✅ Brook Lopez. A little waste in shooting (6/16) but an important presence, especially for his defense on Joel Embiid. He also launched his team on returning from the locker room with two big counterattacks and key actions against the Cameroonian.
✅ James Harden. In line with his match in Boston, the contribution of “The Beard” is very positive. His involvement at the start of the fourth quarter even allowed Philly to have an end to the game. Precious and precise on his shots which kept the suspense going at the end, he however fell on a perfectly placed Jrue Holiday on his last drive. 31 points and 9 assists on arrival, bodes well for the future.
⛔️ Joel Embiid. The Sixers pivot will have to put his head back in place. The Cameroonian’s talent is undeniable, but his attitudes and choices are problematic. Like when he persists in attack or he prefers to claim a foul rather than return to defense. Too many bad choices, like on his last shot from mid-range which should have gone to a much hotter James Harden in the end. It was when he was on the bench that his team came to the surface. Far from being trivial…
THE FOLLOWING
– Sixers : reception of San Antonio this Saturday (from 00:00)
– bucks : reception of Houston this Saturday (02:00)
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