After internet hosting one of many Eastern Conference’s high contenders on Thursday, the Milwaukee Bucks will get a crack at yet one more on Sunday evening when it takes on the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
Milwaukee (55-22) is coming off its second-worst residence loss in franchise historical past, falling 140-99 to the Boston Celtics. Following a aggressive first quarter, the Celtics utterly took over, as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown mixed for 70 factors whereas enjoying solely three quarters within the rout.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 24 factors on 11-for-27 capturing. The Bucks had scored 100-plus factors in 33 consecutive video games previous to Thursday.
Boston did an excellent portion of its harm from outdoors, sinking 22 of 43 (51.2 %) 3-point makes an attempt.
“They were very good tonight and we weren’t. Credit to them,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned. “They put it on us in a big way. We have to find a way to be better against the 3-point line.”
Philadelphia (51-26) earned a 117-110 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Friday evening to select up its second straight win following a three-game skid. Joel Embiid and James Harden every put up double-doubles, with Embiid going for 25 factors and 12 boards and Harden supplying 23 factors with 11 assists.
“We were 3-for-17 in the second half, 16 of them were wide-open threes. It’s a make-or-miss league,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers mentioned. “That’s going to happen, but you still have to find a way to win and we did that.”
Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with 31.1 factors and 11.8 rebounds per sport. Jrue Holiday is averaging staff highs in assists (7.3 per sport) and steals (1.1 per sport), whereas Brook Lopez averages a team-high 2.5 blocks.
Embiid leads the complete NBA in scoring at 33.0 factors per sport whereas additionally main the Sixers with averages of 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Harden can be among the many league leaders, averaging an NBA-best 10.9 assists per sport.
On the damage entrance, the Bucks have been with out Meyers Leonard towards Boston due to a calf damage. Budenholzer instructed reporters he’s “hopeful” Leonard will play once more within the common season. Milwaukee will even be with out Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who was suspended for one sport after headbutting Celtics ahead/middle Blake Griffin.
Khris Middleton left Thursday’s sport towards the Celtics after being elbowed within the face, inflicting him to bleed on the court docket. However, he’s anticipated to play towards the 76ers.
The 76ers have been with out Tobias Harris on Friday attributable to sickness, however Harris will probably be good to go towards Milwaukee. He is averaging 15.0 factors, 5.8 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists this season.
Milwaukee sits atop the Eastern Conference and is now simply 1 1/2 video games forward of Boston, which holds a 2 1/2-game edge over third-place Philadelphia. The 76ers will look to clinch the season sequence towards Milwaukee after successful the earlier two matchups, with the most recent being a 133-130 victory on March 4 that ended the Bucks’ 16-game successful streak.
