Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Bucks beat Sixers
MILWAUKEE >> O.J Mayo scored 10 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, and rookie Jabari Parker had 11 points and 10 rebounds in his Milwaukee debut to lead the Bucks to a 93-81 win Friday night over the Philadelphia 76ers in their home opener.
Under new ownership, the new-look Bucks got off to a good start in coach Jason Kidd’s sideline debut at the Bradley Center. The Bucks pulled away with an 11-0 run over the final 8:21.
Mayo’s 3 with 5:10 left put Milwaukee up 88-81. The veteran guard sparked a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter with another 3.
Parker scored nine in the first quarter on 4 of 6 shooting. Larry Sanders grabbed 15 rebounds.
Rookie Nerlens Noel had 14 points and 10 boards for Philadelphia.
Hollis Thompson’s 3 with 8:21 left got Philadelphia to within 82-81, a fivepoint swing for the Sixers after the Bucks’ Jared Bayless blew a wide-open layup on the other end.
It turned out to be the last bucket for the Sixers, who missed their last 14 shots.
Thompson finished with 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Brandon Knight added 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Milwaukee.
The Bucks blocked 10 shots in the first half, including five by John Henson and four from Sanders. The Sixers still weren’t intimidated, hitting 17 of 33 from the paint to take a 4746 lead at the half.
Milwaukee’s starting front line of Sanders and Parker and Khris Middleton (12 points) had the advantage in the second half.
The game also represented the first home contest for new owners Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens since the New York investment firm executives bought the team in the spring. The Bucks handed the new owners the game ball in the postgame celebration.
TIP-INS
76ERS >> Before the game, Philadelphia exercised the third-year options for Noel and injured guard Michael Carter-Williams, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year. The Sixers also exercised the fourth-year option for guard Tony Wroten. .... Carter-Williams is expected back in a couple weeks from a right shoulder injury. Coach Brett Brown said he could use 11 players upon Carter-Williams’ return. BUCKS >> The team broke off contract extension talks with Knight, who is in the final year of the four-year deal he received after being drafted in the first round by Detroit in 2011. Knight would enter restricted free agency after this season. “It’s not a negative. It can only be a positive,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I think that’s the positive for him to grow as a player.” ... The hometown fans gasped after Sanders nearly tossed in an open layup into his own bucket off a jump ball with 6:14 left in the fourth quarter. Sanders smiled as he jogged up the court.
UP NEXT
76ERS >> Host Heat in home opener on Saturday. BUCKS >> Visit Wizards on Saturday.