Minus Okafor, Sixers get battered, 11298, by Bucks
Sixers blown out again at home, courtesy of Bucks
PHILADELPHIA >> The Milwaukee Bucks have picked the perfect time to play their best basketball of the season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, Tony Snell had 18 of his season-high 21 in the first half and the Bucks never trailed in a 112-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Malcolm Brogdon and Khris Middleton added 13 apiece for the Bucks, who won their third straight game to stay 1 ½ games back of Detroit for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
“Right now we’re playing our best basketball,” Antetokounmpo said. “Everybody is playing hard, we’re playing team basketball and we’re making a (playoff) push. That’s great for us right now.”
The Bucks executed their game plan just as it was drawn up on the board in their locker room.
Written atop the board were the words “pass pass pass,” and Milwaukee had 28 assists on 41 baskets.
“When the ball is moving like that and guys are making shots, it’s fun to watch,” coach Jason Kidd said.
First among the defensive keys was “keep 3 out of game.” Philadelphia shot 26.7 percent from the arc.
Second among the defensive keys was “transition — keep out of game.” The 76ers had just 15 fast-break points.
Kidd really liked what he saw on Monday.
“Being aggressive, sharing the ball, playing defense at the right time of the year,” he said. “Our playoff season has started now. It’s great they all believe they can make this push and it’s going to take all of us. Everybody has to chip in and it starts at the defensive end.”
Justin Anderson tied his career high with 19 points for Philadelphia, which has lost five of six. The 76ers were without big man Jahlil Okafor (knee) for the second straight game. They are so short of bodies that they received a hardship exception to sign Shawn Long to a 10-day contract on Monday. Long, in his NBA debut, had 13 points and seven rebounds.