PLAYER GRADES: Milwaukee Bucks 123, Philadelphia 76ers 108
A tired Philadelphia 76ers team can’t handle Giannis Antetokounmpo and a barrage of threes in Milwaukee.
The Philadelphia 76ers have completed the first back-to-back games of the season after travelling overnight to face an excellent playoff-caliber team in Milwaukee. After jumping out to an early lead in the beginning of the game, the Sixers lost momentum and eventually the entire match.
The Bucks were led by All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who could very well be in consideration for league MVP, and were helped by solid contributions from Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Antetokounmpo finished with a game-high 32 point triple double and most importantly a win.
Let’s look at the player grades from Wednesday night’s game.
Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID. B. <strong>35 mins | 30 pts | 19 reb | 6 ast | 0 stl | 3 blk | 1 TO | 9-24 FG | 2-7 3PT| 10-13 FT | 2 PF | +3 |</strong><p>It is incredible that this is the stat line for an off night for Joel Embiid. He had a team high 30 points and 19 rebounds in the loss. He also was the only SIxers starter to have a positive Plus/Minus in the game. However, it was a poor shooting night for Embiid. He rushed shots early in the game and never seemed to gain his momentum. Even with these issues, Embiid was the most impactful player for Sixers tonight.</p>. C
SG. Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. REDICK. B-. <strong>32 mins | 19 pts | 2 reb | 6 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 3 TO | 6-13 FG | 3-8 3PT| 4-4 FT | 1 PF | -5 |</strong><p>J.J. Redick continues to be one the leagues premier bench players. He poured in 19 points and had6 assists in this game for Philadelphia . Like many of the other Sixers players tonight, Redick had some difficulty shooting the ball early on. If he continues to play at the high level that he has done these past few games, Coach Brett Brown may move Redick into a starting lineup.</p>
BEN SIMMONS. B-. <strong>37 mins | 14 pts | 13 reb | 11 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 3 TO | 6-15 FG | 0-0 3PT| 2-6 FT | 5 PF | -10 |</strong><p>Another game, another triple-double for the Fresh Prince. Occasionally, Ben Simmons blends into the background of games and lacks assertiveness down the stretch. He was very pedestrian in tonight’s game and shot poorly from the field. More than anything, it was encouraging that Simmons played tonight after missing Tuesday night’s game with back tightness.</p>. PG. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers. DARIO SARIC. C+. <strong>33 mins | 15 pts | 7 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 6-11 FG | 2-6 3PT| 1-2 FT | 3 PF | -16 |</strong><p>Dario Saric continues to be the workhorse of this team. He worked hard to get offensive rebounds and dove to the ground more than once for a loose ball. Saric had difficulty guarding Antetokounmpo and shot a measly 2-6 from three. If he is going to be primarily a spot up shooter, he needs to improve dramatically in this area. Through the first four games of the season, Saric is shooting 25 percent from outside the arc.</p>. PF
C-. <strong>27 mins | 5 pts | 0 reb | 4 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 2-6 FG | 1-1 3PT| 0-0 FT | 5 PF | -7 |</strong><p>After a crushing defeat on Tuesday where Fultz was pulled out of the game with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, many fans were questioning Coach Brown’s decision. It is obvious that he needs to experience game time so that he can develop. Tonight’s game was a great example of throwing Markelle into the fire and letting him learn on the fly. There were times where the 2017 1st Overall Pick looked great and then there were times where he jumped before he knew what he was going to do or dribbled into double coverage.</p><p>It is a learning experience for the young player, continue to trust the process. Give him time to grow. Look on the bright side, he made another three point shot.</p>. PG/SG. Philadelphia 76ers. MARKELLE FULTZ
Overall, this was not a terrible loss for the Sixers. The team lost a back and forth match with a good team while on the second night of a back-to-back. The Milwaukee Bucks will be a playoff team. It was nice to see Ersan Ilyasova again as well. Do not blow this loss out of proportion.
As Philadelphia 76ers fans, it is important to understand that this is only the fifth game of the season. There is a ton more of basketball that needs to be played.
We are a fan base that is known for being patient in our team. Don’t loose faith now. Laugh at those with ridiculous hot-takes this early into the season and never forget to Trust the Process.
Next. Key takeaways from early in Sixers' season. dark
The Sixers play next on Saturday at home against the Charlotte Hornets. Let’s get another win.