The Bucks secured a dominant 119-98 victory over the Sixers at Wells Fargo Center, marking Doc Rivers’ fifth win in his coaching role with Milwaukee and bringing their overall record to 37-21.
Notably, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard led the Bucks with impressive performances, while Malik Beasley excelled with 20 points, shooting 6 for 7 from three-point range.
Despite Tyrese Maxey’s noteworthy contribution of 24 points and seven assists for the Sixers, key players Joel Embiid, KJ Martin, and Robert Covington were sidelined due to injuries.
In the initial stages of the game, Paul Reed unexpectedly took on a central role for the Sixers, displaying a willingness to take shots and contributing on both ends of the court. However, his early fouls led to a brief absence, allowing the Bucks to exploit a small-ball lineup with Nicolas Batum at center. Maxey showcased his offensive prowess in the first half, but the team struggled after his exit, shooting poorly from three-point range.
The second quarter witnessed a remarkable shooting display from the Bucks, hitting 13 of 22 three-point attempts. The Sixers, in contrast, faced defensive challenges and offensive struggles from starters Tobias Harris and Batum. The Bucks capitalized on the situation, extending their lead to 69-48 by halftime, culminating in a buzzer-beating play from Antetokounmpo to Lopez.
Despite a more competitive third quarter for the Sixers, highlighted by contributions from Reed, Batum, and Melton, the team faced foul trouble, allowing the Bucks to maintain their advantage. De’Anthony Melton, in his second game after returning from a back injury, had a productive day with 16 points. However, starters Harris and Hield struggled, shooting a combined 7 for 24 from the field.
The Bucks’ victory secured their season series win over the Sixers, with one more meeting scheduled for March 14 in Milwaukee. The absence of Embiid posed challenges for the Sixers, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on opportunities and improving their performance, especially against formidable opponents like the Bucks.
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