After a complicated “road trip” to the West, the Bucks found their audience, and colors, by winning 114-105 against the Sixers. A not really convincing success since Giannis Antetokounmpo's teammates waited until the 4th quarter to make the difference…
Trailing 83-80 at the start of the 4th quarter, the Bucks relied on Bobby Portis to take the lead (88-87). Then it's the unexpected AJ Green who comes out of his box to score six points in a row (94-90). Giannis comes back into play, and it is he who punctuates a 16-3 to give an eight-point lead (98-90). There are six minutes left to play, and the Sixers will never be able to catch up.
However, Tobias Harris will give everything, and bring his team back to one possession. But Damian Lillard then Brook Lopez, at 3-points, will ensure the victory for the Bucks (114-105). A success which allows Milwaukee to return to 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia falls to 7th place, synonymous with “play-in”.
What you must remember
– The Sixers’ perfect start. Like Tyrese Maxey who started the game with two winning baskets, the Sixers got off to the best possible start. Aggressive on Giannis, the Sixers had caused numerous lost balls. All with marksmanship (11 out of 20 on shots), and even a 10-0 to end the first quarter.
– Brook Lopez the opportunist. The two-player between Lillard and Giannis allows their teammates to have very good positions, and this night, it was Brook Lopez who took advantage of it. The pivot scored 19 points with a nice 5 out of 10 from 3-point range.
– Anti-Maxey plan. For three quarters, the Bucks were ruled by Tyrese Maxey, who scored 30 points against the Beverley-Lillard pair. And then Doc Rivers finally found the solution, by cutting the pass returns and sticking him with a taller defender, with AJ Green. Maxey is not going to score a single basket in the last quarter.
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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.
