1. The benches
The Bucks’ bench is a finely-tuned, well-oiled machine, perfectly built to complement the core parts of the machine. The Sixers’ bench is more a group of misfits that get the job done … most of the time.
If the Sixers want to beat Milwaukee, it will take a good performance from Embiid and Simmons at the same time. It will also take a strong performance from the bench, which means scoring the basketball and not submarining the minutes when Embiid and/or Simmons sit.
In Monday’s win over Detroit, the Sixers received strong minutes from Furkan Korkmaz in the absence of Matisse Thybulle. A lights-out shooting performance from Korkmaz would go a long way this afternoon. James Ennis will need to provide his typical sturdiness, especially on defense.
The Bucks’ second unit is filled to the brim with shooters. George Hill has undergone a rebirth in Milwaukee, Ersan Ilyasova is a familiar foe, and Kyle Korver still has some juice in the fuel tank. Robin Lopez even provides another useful answer to Embiid inside, similar to his brother.
Philadelphia has a notoriously streaky bench, even after a summer of marked improvement. The bench will need to contribute to the greater cause in this one. The Sixers will need a lot to go right. Milwaukee is the NBA’s top threat and, quite frankly, is well-built to handle Philadelphia — perhaps more so than some give them credit for.