The Milwaukee Bucks’ winning streak wasn’t going to last forever
The Bucks had their 16-game winning streak ended by the Philadelphia 76ers, 133-130, in a nationally televised battle between Eastern Conference powers on Saturday night at Fiserv Forum.
It was the third-longest winning streak in franchise history, trailing only the 20 games in a row won by the 1970-71 team and the 18 straight victories by the 2019-20 squad.
The 76ers rallied from a 99-85 deficit in the fourth quarter, getting the go-ahead 3-pointer by Joel Embiid in the final minute.
The Bucks’ defense was scrambling late in the final minute, but Embiid found himself wide open at the top of the key after a nice pass from James Harden and the 76ers star nailed a 3-pointer to take the lead for good.
Embiid finished with 31 points and Harden, who hit a late deep 3 of his own to cut the Sixers’ deficit to one point, finished with 38. The 76ers stars each had 10 assists.
“They went wherever they wanted to go, scoring from the paint, floaters, isos, offensive rebounds, free throws, 3s,” said Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 34 points and 13 rebounds. “You name it. They were able to get everything. We’ve got to be able to play 48 minutes of good basketball, defend for 48 minutes. This is a good lesson for us.”
Despite hitting the game’s biggest shot, Embiid argued that he “didn’t have a good game.”
“I thought tonight I could have been better,” Embiid said. “I missed a lot of easy shots I usually make.”
Grayson Allen, Bucks get hot from 3-point territory in third quarter
The Bucks looked like they might pull away by getting hot from long distance in the third quarter.
First, Jrue Holiday hit a step-back triple from the right corner for an 80-71 advantage with just over 5 minutes left in the quarter. The Bucks’ next three field goals came from behind the 3-point line, including two from Grayson Allen.
Allen had 20 points in the quarter, including six 3-pointers, matching the most by any Bucks player in a quarter this season. The Bucks had a 99-85 lead heading into the fourth.
Giannis Antetokounmpo faces 76ers for first time since ladder incident
It was the first matchup between the Bucks and 76ers since the much-ballyhooed ladder incident on Nov. 18 in Philadelphia. That brouhaha was kicked up by 76ers reserve Montrezl Harrell taking away the ball from Antetokounmpo during some post-game free-throw work.
Antetokounmpo scored 13 points in the first half Saturday as the Bucks took a 59-53 lead at the break. He attacked the paint for Milwaukee’s first points and then in the waning seconds of the first half drove past former teammate P.J. Tucker for the lay-in.
The Bucks turned to Antetokounmpo’s attacking drives in the fourth quarter when the game got close.
After the 76ers rallied to tie the game at 108-108 with 6:05 remaining, Antetokounmpo converted a three-point play. He then made two free throws for a 118-114 advantage.
He missed a short look in the lane in the final minute, and then the 76ers’ Joel Embiid hit a three-pointer with 42 seconds remaining that gave Philadelphia a 127-125 lead. Antetokounmpo also was called for a travel in the final minute.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: James Harden, Joel Embiid rally 76ers past streaking Bucks