16-game winning streak ends
The Milwaukee Bucks’ winning streak wasn’t going to last forever
The Bucks had their 16-game winning streak ended by the Philadelphia 76ers, 133-130, in a nationally televised battle between Eastern Conference powers on Saturday night at Fiserv Forum.
It was the third-longest winning streak in franchise history, trailing only the 20 games in a row won by the 1970-71 team and the 18 straight victories by the 201920 squad.
The 76ers rallied from a 99-85 deficit in the fourth quarter, getting the go-ahead three-pointer by Joel Embiid in the final minute.
Bucks’ defense allowed 48 points in fourth quarter
The 76ers steadily chipped into the Bucks’ lead at the start of the final quarter.
“I think it was their bench,” Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said. “They played well at the beginning of the fourth.
“I think at one point we were up 20, then it got down to 15 and we were going back and forth. But the bench in the fourth quarter did a good job of just bringing energy, getting into the paint. Knocking down threes. Doing what a bench is supposed to do.”
Georges Niang, playing more off the bench after an injury to P.J. Tucker, knocked down four of his five three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
76ers stars James Harden (38 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds) and Embiid (31 points, 10 assists and six rebounds) then finished off the comeback.
“We did a good job in the first three quarters and then obviously in the fourth quarter it was a lot of free throws, made some tough threes,” Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “It was basically our game and they came out, they were aggressive, moving the ball. Getting downhill to the paint.
“But also they made some tough threes that was able to win the game.”
Grayson Allen, Bucks get hot from three-point territory in third quarter
The Bucks looked like they might pull away by getting hot from long distance in the third quarter.
First, Holiday hit a step-back triple from the right corner for an 80-71 advantage with just over 5 minutes left in the quarter. The Bucks’ next three field goals came from behind the three-point line, including two from Grayson Allen.
Allen had 20 points in the quarter, including 6 three-pointers, matching the most by any Bucks player in a quarter this season. The Bucks had a 99-85 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
But Allen was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
“He got loose in transition a couple times,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He got to the basket. I felt like he penetrated and actually kicked it to Brook and maybe resurfaced at the three-point line and got one. He just found lots of different ways.
“And then they basically never left him (on defense in the fourth quarter). So 31 points for us offensively in the fourth quarter, we could be better but I think he created a lot of space for Giannis and Jrue. They were just hugged up to him.
“So I think our offense could be better and we think we actually could have gotten Grayson a look. But I thought we actually had some good things and good opportunities.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo faces 76ers for first time since ladder incident
It was the first matchup between the Bucks and 76ers since the much-ballyhooed ladder incident on Nov. 18 in Philadelphia. That brouhaha was kicked up by 76ers reserve Montrezl Harrell taking away the ball from Antetokounmpo during some post-game free-throw work.
Antetokounmpo scored 13 points in the first half as the Bucks took a 59-53 lead at the break. He attacked the paint for Milwaukee’s first points and then in the waning seconds of the first half drove past former teammate Tucker for the lay-in.
The Bucks turned to Antetokounmpo’s attacking drives in the fourth quarter when the game got close.
After the 76ers rallied to tie the game at 108-108 with 6:05 remaining, Antetokounmpo converted a three-point play. He then made two free throws for a 118-114 advantage.
He missed a short look in the lane in the final minute, and then Embiid hit a three-pointer with 42 seconds remaining that gave Philadelphia a 127-125 lead.
The Bucks didn’t call a timeout after Embiid’s shot, and Holiday had a good look on a step-back three-pointer that he missed.
“Honestly, I thought it was in,” Holiday said. “Left it a little short and maybe a little bit to the right. But definitely a little short.”
Antetokounmpo also was called for a travel with 12 seconds left and the 76ers holding a 129-125 lead.
“We had some good looks and wasn’t able to make shots,” Antetokounmpo said.
Doc Rivers thrilled with Marquette’s season
It was a basketball doubleheader at Fiserv Forum on Saturday with the Marquette Golden Eagles finishing their regular-season with a 96-94 victory over St. John’s. MU then celebrated its Big East regular-season by cutting down the nets before the court was switched over for the Bucks game.
Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers then opened his pregame press conference by stating unprompted “No. 6 Marquette won again.”
The MU standout from 1980-83 then said he’s watched more Golden Eagles games this season because he lives in Big East territory in Philadelphia.
Rivers, who has a close relationship with MU coach Shaka Smart, said he loves how the Golden Eagles play.
“I think every coach in the NBA wants that same style, when the ball is flying around,” Rivers said.
Smart was in the crowd during the Bucks game and was introduced on the Jumbotron in the third quarter.
Who did the Bucks play next?
It was a quick turnaround for the Bucks with a game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night at Capital One Arena in Washington.