3 observations after Bucks smoke Sixers, win by 21 points in Philly

3 observations after Bucks smoke Sixers, win by 21 points in Philly originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Bucks had a fun Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.

The Sixers would surely prefer to forget the day.

Milwaukee cruised to a blowout victory at Wells Fargo Center, earning a 119-98 win.

By beating the team he led for the last three years, Doc Rivers moved to 5-7 as Milwaukee head coach. The Bucks are 37-21 overall.

As expected, Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists) and Damian Lillard (24 points, nine assists, seven boards) were the Bucks’ standouts. Malik Beasley added 20 points and shot 6 for 7 from three-point range.

Tyrese Maxey had 24 points and seven assists.

The Sixers’ Joel Embiid (left knee meniscus procedure), KJ Martin (right ankle impingement) and Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise) were sidelined. Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton was out with a left ankle sprain.

Next up for the 33-24 Sixers is a Tuesday night road game against the Celtics. Here are observations on their loss to Milwaukee:

Reed surprisingly central in early going 

In an unlikely turn of events, Paul Reed was the Sixer who took the team’s most shots in the first quarter.

Reed began the game firing open jumpers without hesitation, which was not his norm under Rivers. Reed missed his first two but then knocked down a top-of-the-key three.

In addition to his jump shooting, Reed scored twice inside, competed hard on the glass, blocked a Lillard layup attempt, and brought his usual chaotic energy and hustle. Reed’s first run was not wholly positive, though. He committed two turnovers and got called for his second foul with 3:26 left in the first period.

With Reed sitting, Nurse played a small-ball lineup that had Nicolas Batum at center late in the first quarter. The Bucks attacked it well, getting Bobby Portis (15 first-half points) a couple of layups and preventing the Sixers’ guards from doing damage off the dribble.

Maxey was the Sixers’ best offensive player in the first half by a wide margin. He made sound decisions early, tallied six assists and no turnovers, and gave the Bucks a bona fide…

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Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-02-25 21:12:20

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