Field Level Media
Oct 25, 2018
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 123-108 on Wednesday night.
It was the 10th triple-double of Antetokounmpo's career. In addition, he has scored at least 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in each of the Bucks' first four games. The last time a player accomplished that feat to start a season was Wilt Chamberlain in 1965-66.
Khris Middleton scored 25 points and Brook Lopez added 21 for the Bucks, who are 4-0 for just the third time in franchise history. Eric Bledsoe had 18 points.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 30 points and 19 rebounds while becoming the first Sixers player to open a season with five straight double-doubles since Charles Barkley in 1991-92. JJ Redick added 19 points, and Ben Simmons returned from a one-game absence caused by a sore back to post 14 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Simmons now has two triple-doubles this season and 14 in his career.
Dario Saric had 15 points for the Sixers, who dropped their second in a row after a one-point overtime loss Tuesday in Detroit.
The Bucks scored 49 points in the second quarter to turn a 12-point deficit into a 71-64 halftime advantage.
Antetokounmpo and Middleton each scored 20 points by halftime.
Redick paced the Sixers with 16 off the bench before the break while Embiid had 11 points and nine rebounds, though he shot just 3-for-12.
The Sixers crept within 76-69 as the Bucks missed nine straight 3-pointers midway through the third. However, Milwaukee responded with five consecutive points to go back ahead 81-69 with 5:39 remaining.
A three-point play by Malcolm Brogdon with 1.4 seconds remaining gave Milwaukee a 92-81 lead at the end of the third.
Antetokounmpo's tough driving layup and subsequent free throw increased the Bucks' lead to 105-90 with 6:46 left.
Saric hit a baseline trey to cap a late 8-0 run to close Philadelphia within 110-102 with 4:44 left.
The Sixers wouldn't get any closer than eight, and the Bucks remained undefeated.
--Field Level Media