NBA: Bucks hold off 76ers to open campaign with a win

James Harden  of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks for the duration of the 2nd quarter at Wells Fargo Center on Oct 20, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   (Getty Images by using AFP)

LOS ANGELES – Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a fourth-quarter surge from the 76ers to start their NBA time with a 90-88 victory in Philadelphia on Thursday.

Two-time NBA Most Important Participant Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks to the 2021 title, flirted with a triple-double with 21 details, 18 rebounds and eight assists as the Bucks handed the Sixers their 2nd defeat of the fledgling period.

James Harden scored 16 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to guide a Philadelphia comeback bid that showcased a 13- scoring operate and observed the 76ers take the lead at 86-84 with significantly less than two minutes to enjoy.

It was their first lead due to the fact the opening basket of the contest, but they could not make on it.

Wesley Matthews’s a few-pointer with 23.8 seconds remaining gave Milwaukee an 89-88 direct with 25.7 seconds remaining.

With four seconds to engage in Harden drove from the still left and spun to the rim but couldn’t transform and Brook Lopez finally sealed it for the Bucks with a absolutely free throw and an intentional overlook that bounced off the rim and back into his palms in the waning times.

“I believe we did a great job just keeping our composure,” Antetokounmpo said in an on-court docket job interview. “We had the guide. We missing the lead. They had been playing excellent, they were relocating the ball.

“Harden acquired very hot, was generating photographs, was receiving his teammates concerned. We kept our composure. We saved trusting a person a different.”

“They scored 88 factors, so our protection tonight was terrific.”

Lopez scored 17 details and ahead Grayson Allen additional 12 for Milwaukee, who had been devoid of Khris Middleton as he carries on to recover from medical procedures in July on his still left wrist.

Philadelphia’s star middle Joel Embiid experienced 15 details and 12 rebounds but also had four turnovers. Tyrese Maxey chipped in 15 points for the Sixers, who dropped their period opener to the Celtics on Tuesday.

gsg

Read Following

Don’t overlook out on the most current information and information and facts.

For suggestions, grievances, or inquiries, make contact with us.