76ers vs. Bucks: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Philadelphia 76ers (34-23) play against the Milwaukee Bucks (23-23) at Fiserv Forum Game Time: 8:30 PM EST on Thursday February 17, 2022 Philadelphia 76ers 85, Milwaukee Bucks 79 (Q3 06:33) What’s the buzz on Twitter? Eric Nehm @ eric_nehm The …

The Philadelphia 76ers (34-23) play against the Milwaukee Bucks (23-23) at Fiserv Forum

Game Time: 8:30 PM EST on Thursday February 17, 2022

Philadelphia 76ers 85, Milwaukee Bucks 79 (Q3 06:33)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
The Sixers took a 15-point lead, but the Bucks have cut it back down to seven at 83-76 after 3s from Holiday and Middleton on back-to-back possessions.
This will be no surprise to anyone that has followed me for the last month, but getting a win will be all about the defense. – 9:57 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
Tobi dropping dimes. 🪙
Furk dropping threes. 👌 pic.twitter.com/W9qb24MIDq9:56 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Don’t mess with Bobby!! 😤 pic.twitter.com/wcB0Or2y0A9:55 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Nice show-and-go baseline drive and dunk by Portis against Joel Embiid, but Embiid just responded with an and-one on the other end.
Bucks are going to have to find some answers defensively. They’re not just going to be able to outscore the Sixers like they did the Pacers. – 9:53 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Mike Budenholzer just got himself a technical for Giannis Antetokounmpo. – 9:51 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
The Nets lose at home to the Wizards tonight. Their draft pick is once again tied at #16/#17.
Brooklyn’s first 8 games after the All-Star break: Boston, Milwaukee, Toronto, Toronto, Miami, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia. – 9:51 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Furkan Korkmaz gets the start in this 2nd half and he drills 2 triples. This is a good sign for Philadelphia. Korkmaz had been shooting just 24.2% from deep over his previous 40 games entering tonight. #Sixers9:50 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Tyrese Maxey playing outside until he gotta go stand in a corner starting next week. I respect it – 9:46 PM
Philadelphia 76ers PR @SixersStats
The @Philadelphia 76ers outscored the @Milwaukee Bucks, 45-34, in the second quarter. It’s the second time this season the 76ers have scored 45-or-more in a quarter and the 7th time the team has done so since the start of the 90-91 season.
h/t @Stathead9:45 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
gr8 way to end the half!
🪙@Cryptocom pic.twitter.com/ITtX1fEwfu9:35 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Bobby always a man of the people. pic.twitter.com/xY4jcdfeXC9:35 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Half: Sixers 69, Bucks 61
– Nwora 13pts
– Antetokounmpo 12pts/4reb/3ast
– Portis 12pts/4reb
Advanced Stats
OffRtg: 124.4
DefRtg: 138.0
Net Rtg: -13.6
ORB%: 24.0%
DRB%: 76.2% – 9:34 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
The @Philadelphia 76ers lead, 69-61, at half.
Embiid: 22 PTS / 8 REB / 2 AST
Maxey: 16 PTS / 2 REB / 4 AST
Harris: 12 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST
Absolute show from the ever-improving Embiid/Maxey combo to close the first half. This one’s fun. 🍿 – 9:33 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
What a close by the Sixers, who lead the Bucks 69-61 at the half after trailing by 12 in the second quarter. Embiid with 22 on 8-of-12 shooting and eight rebounds. Maxey with 16.
(Meanwhile the first leg of our flight to Cleveland tomorrow morning has been cancelled wheeeee!) – 9:33 PM
Philadelphia 76ers PR @SixersStats
Via @NBA Courtside, @Philadelphia 76ers @Joel Embiid has reached 1,000 career assists.
Per @Stathead, he’s the 10th center/center-forward to reach at least 1,000 assists within their first 310 games in @NBAHistory. – 9:32 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Haha, the pull-up Embiid made to get the 2-for-1 was ridiculous. – 9:32 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Just an absolute clinic from Embiid and Maxey to end that half. – 9:31 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are having huge efforts here in the 2nd quarter and Philadelphia will carry a 69-61 lead over the Bucks into the half. Embiid has 22 and 8 and Maxey has 16 after a slow start for him. #Sixers9:31 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
The Bucks appear to have swapped out their third quarter woes for second quarter woes – 9:31 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Half: Sixers 69, Bucks 61 – 9:31 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Aye, nobody is stopping Giannis but Georges Niang has been great defensively in the first half – 9:30 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
This dime will make you do a double take. 😳 pic.twitter.com/2VxjpJRNg69:28 PM

Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
GO OFF A BIT, RESE! – 9:28 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
James Harden getting in Tyrese Maxey’s ear every chance he gets is a very good sign. Just a huge sign for his development. #Sixers9:28 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Tyrese Maxey is so damn good. – 9:28 PM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Harden playing coach with Maxey is awesome. – 9:27 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
A little flurry from Tyrese Maxey brings Philadelphia to a tie at 55 late in the 1st half. Maxey was scoreless, but he now has 11 points. #Sixers9:27 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Young Maxey is doing this against perhaps the best 1-on-1 guard defender in the league. Impressive stuff. – 9:26 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
National audience,
Meet Tyrese Maxey. – 9:26 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Great lift from here Maxey, who just got to the cup for the and-1 after hitting a 3 to cut the Bucks’ lead to 55-53 with less than three to play in the first half. He’s up to 11 points and two assists. – 9:26 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
James Harden yelling “THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” at Tyrese Maxey from the bench after that and-one layup – 9:26 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Giannis steal. Bobby Bucket. pic.twitter.com/yIhns9oNzT9:21 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Bucks have opened up a 53-41 lead with about five to play in the second after that nice dish from Ginnis to Portis. – 9:19 PM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
Tired: The Bucks acquired Serge Ibaka as Brook Lopez insurance.
Wired: They plan on rolling out Lopez-Serge-Giannis lineups in the playoff matchup against Cleveland. – 9:19 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid is making great reads out of these double and sometimes triple teams and he is simply not being rewarded for it at the moment – 9:19 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Yoooooooooo. That’s a dime from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Takes a long look at Khris Middleton on the left wing and then throws it to the right to Bobby Portis on the run. Nasty. – 9:18 PM
Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
That Giannis pass in transition – 9:18 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Bucks are already in the bonus with 7:15 left in the second quarter. – 9:14 PM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
Most players: Last game before all-star break, let’s just get through unscathed.
Giannis: I’m gonna dive full body into a photographer to save a random ball in the second quarter, get up, sprint up the floor to work on the glass for two offensive rebounds and a put back. – 9:11 PM
Rob Peterson @ShotDrJr
Giannis diving for that ball out of bounds was Larry Bird-esque. – 9:09 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
I can’t stop thinking about the Paul Millsap meme y’all made me – 9:09 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Second game Giannis Antetokounmpo has dived out of bounds to save a ball. Ridiculous.
This time, he saved it and then got it back from Jrue Holiday for a full-speed rim run. Missed twice, but got his own rebound and finished.
Bucks up, 39-35, with 8:09 left in the first half. – 9:09 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
That dive for that loose ball is everything I love about Giannis – 9:09 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
it’s 8PM in Milwaukee. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kAM6WHpcjl9:08 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Giannis is here. – 9:08 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Millsap already high atop the “guy who just knows how to play” rankings for Philadelphia-area dads – 9:07 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Paul Millsap thus far:
5 mins / 4 PTS / 2-3 fg – 9:07 PM
Dallas Mavericks PR @MavsPR
Luka Dončić finished the first half with 25 points (5-9 3FG), 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
The 3-time All-Star leads the @NBA in 20-5-5 halves over the last 3 seasons:
*15, Luka Dončić
10, James Harden
9, Russell Westbrook
7, Giannis Antetokounmpo
6, Nikola Jokić pic.twitter.com/zZHxKCYsIY9:05 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
The Bucks lead 27-24 after one quarter. Embiid (12) Harris (10) and Maxey (2) combined to score all 24 of the Sixers points. Harris and Embiid both shot 5-9, while their teammates combined to shoot 0-for-7. #NeedAlittleHelpFlow9:00 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
After one quarter, the Bucks lead, 27-24. Nwora leading the Bucks with seven points in seven minutes.
Portis with 5 points and 3 rebounds as well. – 9:00 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Adding this ring to the collection. 😏
💎 @JewelersMutual pic.twitter.com/aNwFIh4RIp8:59 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Bucks 27, Sixers 24 at the end of the first. Bucks shot just 39.1 percent, but have two more three-point makes (4-of-10) than the Sixers (2-of-10). They also have an 8-0 edge in bench points. Embiid has 12 and 6. Harris with 10-2-2. Ginnis with four points on 2-of-5 shooting. – 8:58 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Tobias Harris finished with 10 points on 5/9 shooting in that 1st quarter. That’s already more points and more shots he took the entire night on Tuesday against the Celtics. They need more of this from him. #Sixers8:57 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Tobias Harris’ first 10 minutes tonight:
10 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 5-9 fg – 8:56 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Paul Millsap getting the backup five minutes early. Maybe a preview of the desire to spread the floor on bench groups with Harden. – 8:54 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Bucks are doubling Embiid on his extended post touches, which is not all that unusual.
But they have no idea who is actually going to double and keep sending a triple-team at him and he’s just passing over the top of the two guards that are tripling. Gotta clean that up. – 8:53 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Paul Millsap now getting first-quarter minutes, replacing Embiid. He’s out there with Milton-Korkmaz-Green-Harris. – 8:53 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Paul Millsap does get the backup center minutes with the Sixers not down 40. – 8:53 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Korkmaz and Green are the Sixers’ first subs tonight, replacing Niang and Thybulle. – 8:50 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
James Harden seemed to be encouraging Furkan Korkmaz during the break there we Korkmaz was getting set to check in #Sixers8:50 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
There’s a Serge 3baka and the Bucks now have a 19-18 lead with 4:07 left in the first quarter.
Joel Embiid already has 10 points (4-8fg) for the Sixers. – 8:48 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#CoachHardenFlow James Harden stood up from the bench, called over Tyrese Maxey and coached up the second-year point guard during a break in action. – 8:46 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Triple Big Lineup for the Bucks again tonight. – 8:44 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
Embiid into the thick of it! pic.twitter.com/mP755mB22p8:42 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Relatively even first five minutes. Sixers up, 13-11, with 7:16 left in the first quarter.
It’s rare to see a team with similar size to the Bucks’ starting lineup, who have big dudes across the board (even without Lopez), but the Sixers are right there with them. – 8:41 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid are off to a good start. They have combined for 11 of Philadelphia’s 1st 13 points in this one. Harris has been much more aggressive than he was on Tuesday. #Sixers8:41 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelas
Do you think James Harden’s beard is wearing a mask in this picture? pic.twitter.com/7YqKF7hkKO8:41 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Excellent start to this one for Tobias Harris after a brutal game the other night.
Sixers rolling with a combo of Niang and Harris on Giannis so far, leaving Embiid as the last line of defense and roaming a bit off of Portis when he spaces – 8:41 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#SolidBounceBackFlow: Tobias Harris with 6 points on 3-4 shooting in the first quarter. He had six points total in Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Boston Celtics. The #Sixers lead 13-11 the #Bucks with 7:16 left in the quarter. – 8:40 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Bobby getting the crowd on their feet early. 👌 pic.twitter.com/CFEUbYSONO8:39 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Tobias Harris has the Sixers’ first two buckets tonight. He only scored six points in Tuesday’s loss to Boston. – 8:36 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Jrue Holiday gets into the post, gets fouled and hits one of two at the line for tonight’s first points. – 8:34 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
drivers…START YOUR ENGINES! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/5dZT6hd9OC8:31 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
It’s time for Bucks Basketball!! pic.twitter.com/v1BHxmr8Ez8:28 PM

Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
smile if you’re a rising star. 💫
📱@SociosUSA | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/rtm8f3VKzS8:27 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Last one before #NBAAllStar!!
🎥 @SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/q07qXsv9Po8:12 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Little bit of a changeup for the Sixers starters tonight: Maxey, Thybulle, Harris, Niang, Embiid. – 8:01 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers changing up their starting lineup tonight: Maxey, Thybulle, Harris, Niang, Embiid. – 8:01 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Jordan getting the start tonight. pic.twitter.com/zghiZUb0uH8:01 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Starters tonight:
Tyrese Maxey
Matisse Thybulle
Georges Niang
Tobias Harris
Joel Embiid #Sixers8:00 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Doc Rivers anticipates veteran big man Paul Millsap, who was acquired in the Harden trade, getting more minutes tonight at Milwaukee. He made his Sixers debut in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s blowout loss to Boston, when the game was already out of hand. – 7:53 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
last one before the break!
👟@Snipes_usa pic.twitter.com/poOoRwJmQs7:51 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Of the now 17 times a Buck has scored 50+ points in a regular season game,Giannis’ 81.0 FG% is the highest.
🎥 @SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/k9sTaQQk9r7:51 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Giannis & Grayson combined for 56 points to help boost the Bucks past the Sixers, 118-109 on Nov. 9 2021.
🔄 @betwayusa Game Rewind pic.twitter.com/mLc8VN3X477:40 PM

Jabari Davis @JabariDavisNBA
I do not believe Giannis would have struggled in ANY era, and that’s pretty much all I have to say about that. – 7:35 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Expect to see a bit more Paul Millsap tonight against the Bucks on the road #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/17/doc… via @SixersWire #NBA7:32 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Pat sighting. 👀
📸 @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/RiaOTWqqFk7:30 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
We see you, Jrue!! 👀
📸 @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/0J7gKOHYks7:19 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Doc Rivers said he expects Paul Millsap to play tonight.
Millsap did get in last time after Rivers said that but it was when the team was down 40, so we will see. – 7:07 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Tracy McGrady opting for the “back in my day” take about Giannis is wildly disappointing. – 7:05 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Doc Rivers says Paul Millsap will receive some playing time tonight against the Bucks and have a somewhat bigger role #Sixers7:05 PM
Matt George @MattGeorgeSAC
Locked On Kings All-Star Break Schedule:
Friday 2/18: @Sean Cunningham & I discuss play-in race.
Sunday 2/20: Locked On Bucks crossover discussing Donte DiVincenzo.
Monday 2/21: Kings media round table (4 guests)
Tuesday 2/22: 2022 NBA Draft class first-look with @Barlowe500. – 7:03 PM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points and shot 17-20 from the field on Feb. 8, then scored 50 points and shot 17-21 from the field on Feb. 15.
No other player in NBA history has scored at least 40 points on 80% shooting from the field twice in a three-game span. pic.twitter.com/6TEnc9zJqE7:02 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Pre-game injury updates from Budenholzer:
Grayson Allen – OUT
Wesley Matthews – Available
DeAndre’ Bembry – OUT
Budenholzer said Bembry injured the thumb in the last game he played with the Nets and they didn’t want to push it. Rather give him the break to recover fully. – 6:55 PM
Tony Mejia @MejiaDinero
Thursday’s big game prior to the #NBAAllStar break features the 76ers visiting the Bucks and I think we’ll know early whether the visitors are engaged or already looking forward to the James Harden era. It’s #FearTheDeer or pass for me. From the @WagerTalk #NBA Tip-Off Show: pic.twitter.com/eVxlc5Ec305:51 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Study up before tonight’s tip.
📝 @Jockey pic.twitter.com/hbL606sYIr5:48 PM

NBA Math @NBA_Math
Is James Harden still the NBA’s most productive isolation scorer?
@fromal09 dove into the numbers for @Sportscasting19:
https://t.co/Zq4QcJIAQF pic.twitter.com/rUdOQak49A5:40 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Daryl Morey says 76ers had another ‘very good’ Ben Simmons trade option, backup plan to persuade him to stay
https://t.co/YPxIot7Seq pic.twitter.com/LTVH0sCFbb5:28 PM

Cayleigh Griffin @cayleighgriffin
Each starter for the Rockets scored at least 17 points against PHX, something the team had done only once this century.
Wed vs Suns (Gordon, Green, Schroder, Sengun, Tate)
11/6/19 vs Warriors
3/28/93 at Timberwolves
12/11/92 at Bulls
1/6/90 vs 76ers – 5:14 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
James Harden has been a model citizen and teammate in his short time with the Sixers inquirer.com/sixers/james-h… via @phillyinquirer – 5:12 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
An eastern conference battle.
🎰 @paysbig pic.twitter.com/5eAk06gbWY5:12 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Paul Millsap has joined the Bball Paul train #Sixers pic.twitter.com/Uj5nYhuI2u5:11 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Rumor: James Harden could decline player option to allow 76ers to open max cap space nba.nbcsports.com/2022/02/17/rum…5:00 PM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Tyrese Maxey will replace Davion Mitchell in the Clorox Clutch Challenge, a team shooting competition that will take place tomorrow during the Clorox Rising Stars, the #NBA announced – 4:54 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey will replace injured Kings guard Davion Mitchell in the Clorox Clutch Challenge, a team shooting competition that will take place tomorrow during the Rising Stars event at #NBAAllStar weekend. – 4:54 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
:”Looking forward to getting out there and just growing with these guys.” pic.twitter.com/rZFZxEBzYp4:32 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Will the Bucks score more or less than 12.5 points in free throws?
📊 @betwayusa3:33 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Who do you think is Furkan Korkmaz’s best friend on the Sixers?
(top three rankings accepted) – 3:20 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
smiley Sixers at shootaround. 😄 pic.twitter.com/ZYEz6Lnbi13:20 PM

Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Odds have surfaced for the NBA All-Star Game MVP, via @betonline_ag:
Giannis – 4/1
LeBron – 5/1
Embiid – 6/1
Morant – 7/1
Steph – 8/1
Luka – 12/1 – 3:20 PM
Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
Paul patrol. 👮‍♂️🐶
@Paul Millsap x @BBall_Paul pic.twitter.com/FOhjlYih5T3:05 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
DeAndre’ Bembry has a sore thumb and won’t play tonight for the #Bucks vs. #76ers
Mike Budenholzer may call up @BenSteeleMJS for some backcourt depth. – 2:49 PM
John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
50% or better on 300+ FGA & 40% or better on 100+ 3PA…
1. Karl-Anthony Towns – Of course.
2. Jrue Holiday – OK.
3. Ayo Dosunmu – 👀
go.nba.com/mxfuz2:47 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
James Harden has been a model citizen and teammate in his short time with the #Sixers inquirer.com/sixers/james-h… via @phillyinquirer – 2:46 PM