Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers Preview
Welcome to the 2023-204 Regular Season
The 0-0 Milwaukee Bucks take on the 0-0 Philadelphia 76er’s downtown at the Deer District, fresh off an exciting summer of roster moves. This is the home opener for Milwaukee and the game will be broadcast on both TNT and Bally Sports Wisconsin.
Keep an eye here for detailed game previews. Also, make sure you check out the section at the bottom titled, “Things to tell your buddies as you are watching the game”- always a hit at any Bucks watch party.
The Milwaukee Bucks looked strong at times in the preseason. Excitement abounds around with what Dame Lillard and Giannis could look like, together. Plus Milwaukee has a new head coach, a new shooting guard, a new back-up point guard: there have been quite a few changes. Those changes, ultimately, may take time to develop. But it’ll sure be entertaining to watch!
The Bucks beat the 76ers on opening night last year. The final score was 90-88 and it was a really fun start to the season.
Vegas has the Bucks at a 59% chance to win the game and 5.5 point favorites.
What Milwaukee Needs to do to win
Run an Effective Pick N Roll
It takes time to get to know someone. That’ll be the case with Giannis and Lillard. Where they want each other to be in those split seconds when you are setting and flowing from a pick: this will all take time. But it’ll be unstoppable if it gets to a place where it works. Lillard averaged 32.2 points per game last season; Giannis averaged 31.1. To think that two players could routinely score 60+ for the team on a nightly basis is profoundly scary for the rest of the NBA.
There is always talk of the “big three” or “big four” even, but Milwaukee’s “big 2” could really wreak ruination on NBA defenses via the pick n’ roll.
If Giannis and Liallrd run more than 8 or 9 truly effective pick n’ rolls, that might be lights out for Philadelphia (and the league). It is a simple and effective play. Let’s imagine they can generate 15-20 easy points off it. That puts a ton of pressure on opposing defenses.
What does the “Adrian Griffin” Defense Look like?
Pundits will point to Nick Nurse and the Toronto Raptors. But that is not what this is.
Instead it appears to be more of a “match-up” man (or at least that was what it seemed to be in the preseason.) By pressuring the ball, forcing teams into shots they don’t want to take and in having more systemic rotations, this defense might not know what it is.
It’ll evolve; this defense will be different. What that ultimately looks like might just determine the season.
Related: Previewing the Bucks Centers
Nick Nurse will be coaching the 76ers and it’ll be interesting to watch how similar (or dissimilar) the two defenses look.
The Opponent: The 76ers
Joel Embiid is a beast. There once was a chance the Bucks could have had him. There are rumors abound that he might be leaving. Whatever the case may be, he can single-handley win his team the game.
It sounds like James Harden is all set to play. If he does play, you have to wonder how many minutes he’ll log.
Otherwise Tobias Harris, a former Milwaukee Bucks draft pick, will most likely start at small forward. He can score, but his skills are declining.
PJ Tucker, a former Buck, will most likely start at power forward. Tucker is a defensive specialist who will most likely be matched up on Giannis and Middleton. The 38 year old, like Harris, has declining skills. He loves to shoot the corner three.
Tyrese Maxey, the 22 year old shooting guard, has improving skills. He can score and distribute. He will man the shooting guard role as Harden would slot to the point. You would expect him to be locked up on Damian Lillard.
Related: Milwaukee Bucks Injury Status
- Things to tell your buddies as you are watching the game:
- All-time Milwaukee is 118-105 vs the 76ers.
- The season split last year was 2-2.
- The 76ers franchise originally began as the Syracuse Nationals in 1946.
- The 76ers have had some really impactful players. But a personal favorite was always “The Stormin Mormon” Shawn Bradely. Standing at 7’6”, Bradely had a career year in 1996 averaging 13 points a game, 8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks. 3.4 blocks- per game!
- Playing at the Fiserv has really been an advantage for Milwaukee. The Bucks were 32-9 at home last year.
- Follow me on Twitter at @authorrudylb and check out my other writings at www.rudylb.com. Follow us at @WiSportsHeroics! For all things Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
