Bucks face big test in 76ers
Giannis Antetokounmpo smiled, and quipped he wanted to spend his travel day Tuesday enjoying some pepperoni pizza, chicken wings and smoothies. He'll look forward to the Milwaukee Bucks' first game against the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers when he gets the game plan.
“I know my team's going to be ready, I'm going to try to be ready too,” the Bucks star continued with a grin. “But you know, they're having a great, unbelievable season.
“It's going to be a tough one. It's going to be a tough one in Philly. They play really well at home. We just gotta be ready, we gotta be ready, we gotta execute our game plan, play great defense. Hopefully we can make some shots and no matter the outcome, just leave Philly better and just try to end the road trip in a good note.”
He paused.
“Not winning – playing good basketball,” he added. “Remember that.”
Wednesday marks the first time Milwaukee (25-14) plays Philadelphia (27-12) this season, and it is the first time the Bucks have played a team in the top half of the conference since Brooklyn on Jan. 18.
Such are the vagaries of this season's truncated schedule, but the Bucks will see the 76ers, Nets, Celtics and Heat eight times over the next 33 games.
With that number of contests left, Antetokounmpo said it's too early to think about the playoffs – but there is a bit of cache for Wednesday's game.
“It's gonna be a lot of fun,” Bucks center Brook Lopez said. “I think it'll be a great atmosphere. I don't know if they're going to have any