Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his dominance with a 30-point performance, propelling the Milwaukee Bucks (37-21) to a commanding 119-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers (33-24) on Sunday, marking Doc Rivers’ return to Philadelphia.
Rivers, the former 76ers coach, faced a chorus of boos from the sellout crowd during introductions, but the Bucks quickly silenced the home fans with a blistering first-quarter display.
Damian Lillard contributed 24 points for the Bucks, including 11 in the opening quarter, as Milwaukee surged to a 14-point lead early in the game.
The Bucks’ defense stifled the 76ers’ offense, limiting them to just 11 free throw attempts compared to Antetokounmpo’s 12 trips to the line.
Milwaukee’s supporting cast also stepped up, with Malik Beasley tallying 20 points and Bobby Portis Jr. adding 17, contributing to the Bucks’ second consecutive win after the All-Star break.
Despite a strong effort from Tyrese Maxey, who scored 24 points, and De’Anthony Melton’s 16-point contribution, the 76ers struggled to close the gap, facing a deficit that proved insurmountable.
