Bucks come up with a key three and a stop late to edge 76ers 90-88 in opener

PHILADELPHIA – The Milwaukee Bucks opened the 2022-23 regular season with a rugged 90-88 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks (1-0) to the win over the 76ers (0-2) with 21 points and Jrue Holiday forced James Harden into a difficult two-point running floater from inside five-feet with 2.5 seconds left, and Brook Lopez hit the first of two free throws with 1.9 seconds left to seal the victory.

Here are some key takeaways from opening night in Philly.

Giannis Antetokounmpo found his rhythm

After a competitive summer playing for the Greek national team, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said the team would use a cautious approach with him. After admitting he was out of rhythm in the preseason in which he played two of the Bucks’ five games, Giannis Antetokounmpo was anything but Thursday. He started the game making five straight shots, including two nice touch finishes high off the glass and with a finger roll while avoiding offensive fouls. He also hit a catch-and-shoot three-pointer and a couple of mid-range jumpers. His timing was back on defense, too, as he perfectly blocked two shots and redirected another at the rim.

Box scoreBucks 90, 76ers 88

Though he slowed down in terms of his field goal percentage (4 for 11 after his hot start) he did flirt with his 30th career triple-double with 13 rebounds and eight assists and helped create the space for Wesley Matthews to hit a go-ahead three of a drive-and-kick from Grayson Allen.

“I’m not at my best right now,” Antetokounmpo acknowledged. “I’m playing good basketball, I’m trusting my teammates, I’m moving the ball, making good decisions but I think there is a step to my game. And hopefully I can get to where I want to be. But I don’t think there’s a rush. I want to play the best basketball I can play when it matters the most. And right now we were able tog et a win so I’m happy and I go eat my cheesesteak.”

Game 1 of challenging the three-point line

The Bucks wanted to emphasize contested three-pointers this season, but they knew a sacrifice might be made on the interior.

In the first half, they limited Philadelphia to 4-of-11 shooting on three-pointers (while making 9 of 22 of their own) so the 76ers attacked the paint and outscored the Bucks 26-8 in that regard. But, three is greater than two and the Bucks held a 47-45 lead at the break.

In the second half the 76ers were worse from deep in going just 1 for 13. They got back into the game by getting inside and using James Harden’s shooting ability from any spot. Philadelphia outscored the Bucks 46-30 in the paint for the game, but Matthews’ three was the Bucks’ eighth of the game – three more than the 76ers made.

"Today I thought we did a good job of kind of funneling them into the paint, which I mean (Harden) had a great game, but those tough twos sometime don't equate," Holiday said.

Jevon Carter gets the start

Budenholzer said the 27-year-old guard earned a bigger role with his play in training camp and the preseason and Carter was rewarded with a start on opening night alongside Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen and Brook Lopez.

Carter continued his strong play and presented himself as an offensive option by hitting two of his three shots for five points, and he helped limit 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey to a tough night shooting (15 points on 6 of 13 shots). Bobby Portis was the Bucks’ sixth man.

Offense stagnates, defense rises

After a thunderous two-hand slam by Antetokounmpo put the Bucks up 80-67 with 10 minutes, 5 seconds left in the game, the Bucks scored just nine more points on three field goals.

Even though the 76ers went small without star center Joel Embiid on the court -and with Antetokounmpo playing for bulk of that time – the Bucks couldn’t handle the smaller lineup led by James Harden. Harden scored 16 of his 31 points in the period to lead his team back into the game. He was also active on defense – along with P.J. Tucker – which lifted the 76ers on that end of the court as well.

Wesley Matthews put the Bucks up with a go-ahead three with 23.8 seconds left.

“You live for moments like that,” Matthews said. “From being in the backyard, being in parks, playing by yourself, counting down three, two, one. You dream for that moment. On a stage like this, Grayson was able to find me and I made a shot.”

And then the Bucks buttoned up their defense.

In the final 1:43 of the game, the 76ers only got up two shots and scored two points off Tucker free throws. The 76ers got Embiid one-on-one with Brook Lopez in the final seconds, but Antetokounmpo showed aggressive help on the baseline and Embiid whipped a pass outside. Grayson Allen got a finger on it and knocked it out of bounds. On the ensuing inbound, Holiday stuck with Harden long enough to force him to try to go off the glass with a floater.

“I felt like we just stayed consistent,” Holiday said of the closing stretch. “We didn’t really want James to shoot those step-back threes where he’s really good at, take tough, contested twos – which today he was making ‘em. He did a great job of it. And Joel man, Brook did a great job I think just frustrating him, not letting him see the rim, not letting him see the ball go in. He didn’t get to the free throw line as much. Same thing with James. So anytime you can do that it’s always a benefit.”

5 NUMBERS

0

Points in the second half for Joel Embiid. The 76ers star sat most of the fourth quarter as head coach Doc Rivers elected to go small, which got his team back in the game.

4

Dunk attempts by the 76ers blocked by Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez.

5

Straight made shots for Antetokounmpo to open the game.

10

Bucks who played in the first quarter.

13-0

Run by the 76ers in the heart of the third quarter – with Joel Embiid on the bench – to erase a 80-67 deficit and tie the game 80-80.

PLAY OF THE GAME

JRUE HOLIDAY STOPS JAMES HARDEN IN THE FINAL SECONDS

“I think they tried get the switch – I think it was me and Grayson – they tried to get the switch and Grayson did a good job hedging and I got an opportunity just to get back in front of him,” Holiday said of the stop. “At that point, you just gotta put your hands up, show your body and honestly leave it up to the refs. Honestly I think I did a good job.”

QUOTE OF THE GAME

AFTER GIANNIS DRILLED A 20-FOOTER

“If he’s making that he’s f-----’ illegal.” – Opposing team scout.

VIDEO OF THE GAME: THANASIS ANTETOKOUNMPO DOES SOME HOUSECLEANING

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks defeat 76ers with late three, defense in season opener