Los Angeles – On Thursday, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks opened their NBA season with a 90-88 victory in Philadelphia over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player who led the Bucks to the 2021 championship, came close to a triple-double with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists as the Bucks handed the Sixers their second loss of the young season.
James Harden scored 16 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to help lead the Philadelphia 76ers to an 86-84 lead with less than two minutes remaining.
It was their first lead since the game’s opening basket, but they were unable to capitalize on it.
Giannis nearly recorded a triple-double to open the season.
21 Points, 13 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 3 Blocks, 1 Steal.
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October 21, 2022 — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks)
The three-pointer made by Wesley Matthews with 23.8 seconds remaining gave Milwaukee the lead, 89-88, with 25.7 seconds remaining.
With four seconds remaining, Harden drove from the left and turned to the basket, but he was unable to score, and Brook Lopez sealed the victory for the Bucks with a free throw and an intentional miss that ricocheted off the rim and back into his hands.
Antetokounmpo stated in an on-court interview, “I believe we did a fantastic job of maintaining composure.” “We were in the lead. We lost the advantage They were playing well and moving the ball effectively.
“Harden was on fire, making shots and involving his teammates. We kept our composure. We never lost faith in one another.”
They scored 88 points, so our defense was outstanding tonight.
Lopez scored 17 points and Grayson Allen added 12 for Milwaukee, who were without Khris Middleton, who is still recovering from left wrist surgery in July.
Joel Embiid, a talented center for Philadelphia, scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, but also committed four mistakes. Tuesday was the season opening for the Sixers, who lost to the Celtics. Tyrese Maxey contributed 15 points to the loss.
AFP