Milwaukee Bucks Dominate Philadelphia 76ers in NBA Season Opener

In a riveting showcase of basketball prowess, the Milwaukee Bucks brought down the Philadelphia 76ers in a commanding 124-109 victory. The season opener, held on Wednesday night, saw Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo taking charge, with Lillard racking up 30 points and Antetokounmpo contributing 25.

Lillard and Antetokounmpo: A Dynamic Duo

Lillard, in a dazzling display of skill, accumulated 15 of his points in the third quarter, closing off the night with six 3-pointers, nine rebounds, and five assists. Antetokounmpo, proving his worth once again, bagged 8 out of 11 shots from the field, and led the game with 14 rebounds. The Bucks’ powerful performance was further bolstered by six players scoring in double figures.

Backing up the dynamic duo were Taurean Prince and Bobby Portis, each chipping in 16 points. The Bucks also demonstrated their long-range shooting capabilities with a total of 16 3-pointers.

Philadelphia 76ers: A Valiant Effort

For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey scored an impressive 25 points while Andre Drummond added 13 points and 11 rebounds. However, the absence of stars Joel Embiid and Paul George due to knee injuries was clearly felt.

Noteworthy Strategy

Bucks’ Lillard and Brook Lopez frequently implemented the pick and roll strategy against the 76ers, often extending the picks beyond the 3-point line. This approach allowed Lillard ample time and space to generate offense.

Impressive Comeback

In his first NBA game since 2019, Guerschon Yabusele, after a five-season international stint, provided the 76ers with a commendable performance of 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 25 minutes.

Game-Changing Moment

The game’s turning point came in the form of a 25-12 run by the Bucks over a six-minute period in the second quarter, with Bobby Portis at the heart of the action. Portis showcased his all-around skills with a block, a defensive rebound, an assist, a steal, and a running layup in quick succession.

Record-Breaking Performance

In a record-breaking feat, Lillard and Antetokounmpo became the first pair of Bucks teammates to each score at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season opener.

Up Next

The Bucks look forward to their home opener against the Chicago Bulls this Friday, while the 76ers will hit the road to face off against Toronto.