Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 40 points, late block lead Bucks past 76ers

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sport is not any laughing matter. His jokes? Properly, they might use some work.

Antetokounmpo scored 40 factors and had a game-deciding block of Joel Embiid within the remaining seconds to guide the Milwaukee Bucks to a 118-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday evening in a matchup of two of the Japanese Convention’s prime groups.

Khris Middleton added 22 factors and Jrue Vacation had 18 for the Bucks, who pulled inside a half-game of idle Miami for first place within the East.

Milwaukee was clinging to a two-point lead when Antetokounmpo swatted away Embiid’s put-back try with 1.6 seconds left.

“Spectacular block,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers stated.

“Only a particular block,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer stated.

It was an incredible play.

Antetokounmpo, although, appeared extra keen to check out his materials from his postgame learn, a ebook titled “Dad Jokes,” and opened his postgame press convention like this:

Q: What do you name a cow on the ground?

A: Floor beef

Antetokounmpo appeared amused by the joke, which drew solely gentle chuckles from reporters. If not an air ball, it definitely appeared like a miss.

His sport, nonetheless, continues to get rave critiques.

“We rely on him to make massive performs,” Middleton stated. “We don’t anticipate him to make that block, however when he does, we’re not shocked.”

Stated Vacation, “Giannis simply being Giannis. Made an awesome play and saved the sport.”

James Harden had 32 factors and 9 rebounds for the 76ers, and Embiid recovered from a sluggish begin and completed with 29 factors, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. Philadelphia dropped 1½ behind the Warmth within the convention.

“Couple errors defensively they usually made us pay for it,” Harden stated.

Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for the defending NBA champion Bucks.

The Bucks scored 13 of the primary 17 factors of the fourth, entering into entrance on Middleton’s 3-pointer that made it 94-93 with 9 minutes to play. The sport remained shut the remainder of the best way, with neither staff going up by greater than six factors.

Each time it appeared as if Milwaukee was going to drag away, the 76ers answered with a 3 to remain shut. Embiid’s 3-pointer with 49.8 seconds left pulled Philadelphia inside 117-116. After a turnover by Brook Lopez, Philadelphia had an opportunity to go in entrance, however Embiid missed a 14-footer following a timeout.

Antetokounmpo was fouled on the following possession and made the primary of two free throws to place the Bucks up 118-116 with 13.2 seconds to play. After one other 76ers timeout, Harden’s step-back 3 was lengthy. Embiid grabbed the rebound and appeared primed to tie it with a straightforward layup, however Antetokounmpo blocked it. The officers initially dominated that it was goaltending, tying the rating, nevertheless it was overturned after a video assessment.

“Simply let my instincts play,” Antetokounmpo stated. “I simply tried to leap as excessive as I can and make a play.”

The 76ers managed the following bounce ball however ran out of time for a shot.

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

Antetokounmpo and Harden traded first-half highlights, with the Bucks star and two-time MVP dunking on Embiid together with his left hand late within the first quarter earlier than a thunderous, two-handed jam late within the second. Harden scored over Antetokounmpo together with his trademark step-back 3 with 35.7 seconds left within the first and linked with Matisse Thybulle with a phenomenal three-quarter court docket move to set Thybulle up for a straightforward dunk.

HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE

The sport pitted a pair of groups which have their eyes on the NBA title. The Bucks broke an extended title drought final season, incomes the franchise’s second title after successful their first in 1971. Philadelphia final gained a championship in 1983, and the 76ers added Harden on the commerce deadline to bolster their possibilities of the franchise’s fourth title.

Milwaukee has been one of many NBA’s finest groups for the reason that All-Star break, going 11-4 because it gears up for one more postseason run. Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers stated he doesn’t hear the Bucks sufficient when NBA title contenders are talked about.

“I hear all people however Milwaukee,” Rivers stated. “They didn’t luck into successful.”

TIP-INS

Bucks: Jrue Vacation (left ankle soreness) and Serge Ibaka (non-COVID sickness) returned after each sat out Saturday’s 127-102 loss at Memphis. … Antetokounmpo is 40 factors from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because the franchise’s all-time main scorer. Antetokounmpo has scored 14,172 profession factors.

76ers: Former Sixer and Corridor of Famer Bobby Jones rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell previous to the competition. … Connor Castellani, a 29-year-old fan from Linwood, New Jersey, gained 76ers season tickets for subsequent season by hitting a half-court shot throughout a first-half timeout. … Danny Inexperienced was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul on Antetokounmpo 1:19 into the fourth.

UP NEXT:

Bucks: At Brooklyn on Thursday evening.

76ers: At Detroit on Thursday evening.