The 76ers star beats the reigning champions with a monster test. Antetokounmpo’s 32 points are not enough, it is the third defeat in 4 games for Milwaukee
Philadelphia couldn’t find a better way to get to the All Star Game break. Returning from an embarrassing defeat to the Celtics, the 76ers (35-23) produce a cheering performance and go on to win with character and personality 123-120 in Milwaukee. An absolutely extraordinary Joel Embiid (42 points and 14 rebounds) takes care of knocking out the reigning champions and sending a clear signal to the entire Eastern Conference: Philadelphia is not afraid of anyone and at the resumption of hostilities, post All Star Game, he will propose a potentially devastating lineup from an offensive point of view with the addition of a certain James Harden. The Bucks (36-24), on the other hand, collect their third defeat in the last four games despite the usual Giannis Antetokounmpo in MVP version who flirts with a triple double and who ends up with 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
The match
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Phila immediately tries to put pressure on Milwaukee with an Embiid that picks up the pace finding the basket with continuity even from the perimeter. The reigning champions respond with gusts of Giannis, but after a balanced first quarter in the second half Philadelphia takes control of the match. Maxey warms up and Embiid begins her very personal show. In the last six minutes of the first half the 76ers accelerate, become unstoppable at an attacking level and with a partial of 22-6 they reach the break ahead 69-61 after scoring 45 points in the second quarter. Milwaukee struggled a lot in defense and at the beginning of the third quarter the visiting team tried to close the scores. Two consecutive triples by Korkmaz and Harris’ production push the 76ers to +15, but Giannis is not there and plays the charge. Middleton wakes up and starts to hurt in Philadelphia from long distance, also Holiday’s baskets arrive and Milwaukee is back in the wake and then resumes the guests in the middle of the last quarter. The Bucks keep their foot on the accelerator and with Antetokounmpo’s triple arrive at +4 at 3’56 ” from the siren but when the match seems to take a bad turn for Philadelphia, Embiid and his companions bring out the character and with a break of 8-0 take the reins of the match in hand and then defend the advantage with their teeth until the end. “We needed a performance like this after the bad test against the Celtics – underlines an excellent Harris – we need to improve and we have a lot to work on”.
Milwaukee: Antetokounmpo 32 (11/19, 2/4, 4/5 tl), Holiday 24, Middleton 19. Rebounds: Antetokounmpo 11. Assist: Antetokounmpo 9.
Philadelphia:Embiid 42 (11/17, 3/4, 11/14 tl), Maxey, Harris 19. Rebounds: Embiid 14. Assist: Embiid 5.
February 18, 2022 (change February 18, 2022 | 07:21)
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