Damian Lillard Shines As Bucks Top Sixers
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 118-117, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
The Bucks (1-0) and the 76ers (0-1) delivered a thrilling contest to open Thursday’s two-game slate. The game was not decided until the final stages of the contest, and even though Philadelphia never gave up and competed at a high level until the very last play, Damian Lillard took over down the stretch. The star floor general closed things out when the Bucks needed him the most, shining brightly in his debut. Milwaukee looked like the better team in the first half, racing to a 30-23 score in the first quarter and nearly making it a double-digit game by halftime (63-54). The 76ers responded with a 31-25 score in the third quarter to show some signs of life. They even made it a one-point game in the final two minutes, but they could not complete the comeback. Despite winning the fourth quarter by a 32-30 score and draining a buzzer-beating three in the final play, the 76ers came up short, and the Bucks got the win.
Damian Lillard led the way for the Bucks with 39 points, eight rebounds and four assists while draining each of his 17 shots from the charity stripe. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 23 points, but he also filled the stat sheet with 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Brook Lopez had 13 points. Bobby Portis delivered 10 points, six rebounds and two assists off the bench.
Surprisingly, Tyrese Maxey led the way for the Sixers with 31 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals. De’Anthony Melton had 10 points, four dimes and two steals. Joel Embiid finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Tobias Harris impressed with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. was excellent off the bench and delivered 27 points while adding four boards.
The Bucks (1-0) and the 76ers (0-1) delivered a thrilling contest to open Thursday’s two-game slate. The game was not decided until the final stages of the contest, and even though Philadelphia never gave up and competed at a high level until the very last play, Damian Lillard took over down the stretch. The star floor general closed things out when the Bucks needed him the most, shining brightly in his debut. Milwaukee looked like the better team in the first half, racing to a 30-23 score in the first quarter and nearly making it a double-digit game by halftime (63-54). The 76ers responded with a 31-25 score in the third quarter to show some signs of life. They even made it a one-point game in the final two minutes, but they could not complete the comeback. Despite winning the fourth quarter by a 32-30 score and draining a buzzer-beating three in the final play, the 76ers came up short, and the Bucks got the win.
Damian Lillard led the way for the Bucks with 39 points, eight rebounds and four assists while draining each of his 17 shots from the charity stripe. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 23 points, but he also filled the stat sheet with 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Brook Lopez had 13 points. Bobby Portis delivered 10 points, six rebounds and two assists off the bench.
Surprisingly, Tyrese Maxey led the way for the Sixers with 31 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals. De’Anthony Melton had 10 points, four dimes and two steals. Joel Embiid finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Tobias Harris impressed with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. was excellent off the bench and delivered 27 points while adding four boards.
Lakers Edge Suns, 100-95
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns, 100-95, at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night.
The Suns (1-1), despite playing without the starting backcourt of Bradley Beal (back) and Devin Booker (foot), came out of the gate looking prepared to build on their impressive season-opening road win over the Warriors on Tuesday, as they'd already built a 30-18 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Lakers (1-1) managed to lop eight points from their deficit prior to halftime, but Phoenix was able to make that ground right back up in the third period to head into the fourth quarter once again boasting a 12-point advantage. That's when Los Angeles would change the dynamic of the contest, finishing on an 18-8 run over the final 7:57 and fittingly sealing the victory with a pair of LeBron James driving layups and four Anthony Davis free throws.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 39 points, adding 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Eric Gordon finished with 15 points and two rebounds. Jordan Goodwin delivered 14 points, six boards, two assists and two steals. Josh Okogie furnished with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block.
Davis paced the Lakers with 30 points, supplementing them with 13 rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks. James totaled 21 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks. D'Angelo Russell supplied 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block. Austin Reaves registered 10 points, two boards, one assist and one steal.
The Suns head home for the first time this season to host the Utah Jazz on Friday night, while the Lakers pay a visit to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
The Suns (1-1), despite playing without the starting backcourt of Bradley Beal (back) and Devin Booker (foot), came out of the gate looking prepared to build on their impressive season-opening road win over the Warriors on Tuesday, as they'd already built a 30-18 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Lakers (1-1) managed to lop eight points from their deficit prior to halftime, but Phoenix was able to make that ground right back up in the third period to head into the fourth quarter once again boasting a 12-point advantage. That's when Los Angeles would change the dynamic of the contest, finishing on an 18-8 run over the final 7:57 and fittingly sealing the victory with a pair of LeBron James driving layups and four Anthony Davis free throws.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 39 points, adding 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Eric Gordon finished with 15 points and two rebounds. Jordan Goodwin delivered 14 points, six boards, two assists and two steals. Josh Okogie furnished with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block.
Davis paced the Lakers with 30 points, supplementing them with 13 rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks. James totaled 21 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks. D'Angelo Russell supplied 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block. Austin Reaves registered 10 points, two boards, one assist and one steal.
The Suns head home for the first time this season to host the Utah Jazz on Friday night, while the Lakers pay a visit to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.