Difficult to dream of a better poster in the East than a Milwaukee/Philadelphia, before switching to the All-Star Weekend. A clash that simply pitted two title contenders and the two best NBA scorers, who are also favorites for the 2022 MVP trophy, along with Nikola Jokic.
On arrival, it was finally Joel Embiid’s Sixers (42 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists) who got the better of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks (32 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists), after a a daunting “money-time” (123-120).
After a balanced start, marked by the seal of Joel Embiid, the defending champions dug a first gap in the second quarter, with their pair Giannis Antetokounmpo – Khris Middleton. Except that Tyrese Maxey answered them then, to offer control of the game to the visitors, who did not weaken when they returned from the locker room, thanks to Embiid and despite Jrue Holiday.
It will then have been necessary to wait for the last act to see Milwaukee able to play eye to eye with Philadelphia. It must be said that Giannis Antetokounmpo has finally put his nose to the window and it was necessary to respond to the cardboard of the inevitable Joel Embiid. And when two players as talented and at the top of their game engage in such a duel, it can only lead to a finish madness…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Joel Embiid walks on Milwaukee. Serge Ibaka was brought back to Wisconsin to thicken the Bucks racket, in case they face a dominant interior like the Cameroonian. Except that like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and all of Milwaukee, he was no match for the firepower of the Sixers pivot, unstoppable from start to finish. From far and near, at mid-distance or at throws, “JoJo” rolled over each of his opponents, helpless. Only fouls and lost balls slowed him down, but when you look at his stat line, you think that’s a big word…
— Waking up too late for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Overall well contained for three quarters, the double MVP was unleashed in the last. In the paint, at mid-range, at free throws and even at 3-pts, he made the Sixers live through hell, bringing the Bucks back into contact with a snap of his fingers (or almost). Scoring, rebound, creation, defense… The Greek was everywhere today and, as soon as he accelerated, in the second half then in the fourth, his defenders were dropped. Just a pity that he couldn’t weigh like that throughout the match, when he will probably regret his loss of the ball at 118-116…
— Philadelphia, master of “money-time”. We weren’t giving much of the Sixers’ skin when the Bucks started to get back on the road and take control, to lead by two possessions with four minutes remaining (116-112). Except that Joel Embiid’s teammates did not panic and they continued to press inside, to cause fouls and to rely on the outside address of Georges Niang to hold the shock. While, at the same time, the defending champions accumulated ball losses and misfires, like Khris Middleton, disastrous at the end. Solid, Philly was therefore able to bend the case, with forceps.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ George Niang. If Tobias Harris or Tyrese Maxey were valuable in scoring in the first period alongside Joel Embiid, the Sixers strong winger was undoubtedly the Cameroonian’s most regular lieutenant. Exceptionally promoted in the starting five, he finished with 18 points and 6 rebounds on the clock, 5/10 to 3-pts. Thanks to his quality of shooting, he is a great complement to Embiid and, after needing a quarter to get going, he took advantage of the spaces created by his All-Star pivot to penalize the defense. In addition to admirably containing Giannis Antetokounmpo, despite his limitations.
✅ Jrue Holiday. While Khris Middleton watered (6/20 on shots, including 2/12 at 3-pts), especially in the last act, the leader of the Bucks meanwhile assumed his responsibilities, in the shadow of Giannis Antetokounmpo. You only have to redo his third quarter, where he planted 12 points, to realize it. Combative as possible and very clean, the reigning NBA and Olympic champion did everything he could to bring Milwaukee back into the game, when the rest of his teammates were not in the game. Mission failed, certainly, but successful match despite everything.
⛔ The Milwaukee Bench. Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, George Hill, DeAndre’ Bembry. The list of injured is growing at the Bucks and, in these conditions, being able to count on a powerful bench is almost an obligation. Except that was far from the case last night for the defending champions. If Mike Budenholzer was thus able to rely on a productive starting five, because all his holders finished with more than 15 points, he could not say the same about his bench, author of 10 small points in total (against 25 on the Sixers side). Far from optimal, therefore.
⛔ Matisse Thybulle. 15 minutes of play, for 0 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist on the counter. Already transparent against the Celtics on Tuesday evening, the Australian returned the cover this Thursday, to offer a new mediocre performance. Pushing Doc Rivers to prefer Furkan Korkmaz to him and not call him outright in the fourth quarter. So: physical problem or real crisis of confidence? Still, the Philly fullback/winger is deadlocked and All-Star Weekend is timely for him.
THE FOLLOWING
Milwaukee (36-24) : return to play in a week, against Brooklyn, after the All-Star Weekend.
Philadelphia (35-23) : return to play in a week, in Minnesota, after the All-Star Weekend.
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