The Bucks did not turn the other cheek! Beaten by 41 points by the Celtics in front of their audience last week, Mike Budenholzer’s players took revenge on the Sixers in the poster of the evening with a 117-104 victory.
In a perhaps decisive meeting in the race for the MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo flew over the debates with his 33 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. In fact, the Bucks sent the Sixers into the ropes in the first quarter with tumbles from Giannis, the distant address of Khris Middleton or the dunk of Grayson Allen. After six minutes, there are already 16 points difference (29-13).
The Sixers will nibble their delay over the minutes to return to four units (77-73) in the 3rd quarter. But the Bucks, by Bobby Portis and Joe Ingles, will respond with a 16-2 straddling the 3rd and 4th quarters to spend a quiet end of the evening.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A perfect start. In a big atmosphere, the Bucks started the game with an 8 of 8 on shots, transformed into 12 of 13! The game is perfectly spaced, and the shooters, like Khris Middleton, Joe Ingles or even Brook Lopez, feasted on the shifts created by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
– Milwaukee still has to wait. With a record of 56 wins for 22 losses, the Bucks are not yet guaranteed to finish first. Indeed, the Celtics (54-24) have the “tie-breaker” on Milwaukee, and in case of a tie, Boston will finish in first place. For the Sixers (51-27), there is still a tiny chance of finishing second, but we will have to win everything and hope that the Celtics lose all their matches… We will know very quickly since the next match is against Boston.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Giannis Antetokounmpo. A benchmark game for him in his way of attacking the Sixers defense and trapping PJ Tucker. In the MVP race, he wins his duel with Embiid.
✅ Brook Lopez. It is he who sets the tone for the match with his address and especially his defense against Joel Embiid. We do not see how the trophy for best defender could escape him.
✅ The Portis-Ingles duo. We will have to count on them two in the playoffs to punish the opposing benches. They are tough and opportunistic in attack.
✅ Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers’ best player tonight. He plays without complex, and he brings madness in a very stereotyped game.
⛔James Harden. He suffered against Jrue Holiday, and we can clearly see that physically he is diminished.
THE FOLLOWING
Milwaukee (56-22) : reception of the Wizards on Tuesday.
Philadelphia (51-27) : reception of the Celtics on Tuesday.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
