Giannis Antetokounmpo secured the win for the Milwaukee Bucks in Philadelphia with a block against Joel Embiid. With the 118:116 success, the Greek was the best man on the field and played the next 40-point game.
Philadelphia 76ers (46-29) – Milwaukee Bucks (47-28) 116:118 (BOXSCORE)
What a game and what an ending. Giannis Antetokounmpo once again underlined his MVP ambitions in Philadelphia in a direct duel with Joel Embiid and set up a monster stat line with 40 points (16/24 FG, 7/10 FT), 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks. 1.6 seconds before the end, the Greek also blocked Embiid’s possible tip-in for extra time.
The Bucks’ victory also has a major impact on the table in the East. Not only is Milwaukee in second place and 0.5 games behind Miami, but they also won the tiebreaker with the Sixers (2-1). Jrue Holiday (18, 7/16, 8 rebounds, 10 assists) made big plays in crunch time with 10 points in the fourth quarter, Brook Lopez (17) made life difficult for Embiid and so did Khris Middleton (22, 9 boards, 7 assists). ) threw in big plays at the end.
After a weak start, Embiid had 29 points (11/21), 14 rebounds and 7 assists, but the Sixers’ top scorer was James Harden (32, 9/17 FG, 10/12 FT, 9 assists), who was possibly his best game made in Sixers jersey. In the final phase, “The Beard” remained pale with the exception of a stepback threesome and was just as unable to prevent the guests from winning the fourth quarter 37:27. Tobias Harris (22, 11 rebounds) posted a double-double, Tyrese Maxey (7, 3/11) was not a factor.
Joel Embiid starts weak – Harden keeps Sixers in the game
The Bucks were initially the better team because they were able to contain Embiid. The Cameroonian was always doubled in the post, and his beloved baseline was removed. Consequently, the Bucks quickly led in double digits, also because Giannis got off to a good start with 5 field goals in a row, including a powerful slam about Embiid. Harden initially kept the hosts in the game, Wesley Matthews, who was specially appointed to the starting five, was unable to prevent the Sixers star from driving.
After that, things turned around. The Bucks cooled off noticeably, while Philadelphia Embiid served the ball closer to the free-throw line and this fooled Lopez several times. In addition, the shooters hit their shots (Harris) and the Bucks couldn’t get into their dangerous fast break, so the Sixers took a 61:51 lead into the break.
There was little to see from Middleton and Holiday, but Lopez was now more involved with the Bucks. The center converted two threes and scored a total of 11 points in just over two minutes. But the guests didn’t make up ground for a long time. Embiid continued to hit everything after 1/8 start and was better prepared for doubling. In addition, the Bucks left a lot near the ring, so that the Sixers were still ahead with 89:81 before the final section.
Antetokounmpo Block Secures Bucks Victory
Antetokounmpo had his best phase against the hosts’ bench lineup, the Greek scored 15 points in a row for the Bucks and after a small jumper from Middleton and a three from Lopez the guests were back in business (94:93). The intensity on defense increased, Milwaukee doubled Harden and Embiid, and there was a lot of rotation behind the play.
A three by Holiday set for +4 with 80 seconds remaining, but Embiid had Downtown’s reply. Holiday then threw an overly ambitious alley opp to Lopez, but Embiid’s middle-distance shot was well defended at the other end. Antetokounmpo then only hit a free throw. Harden’s stepback to a possible victory then went far wrong, Giannis cleared Embiid’s tip-in with 1.6 seconds before the end with an incredible block (a possible goaltending was overruled). The Bucks secured the jump ball and won the game.
