MILWAUKEE - There was a statement to be made, and the Bucks made it.
After their worst loss of the season, they bounced back in a big way Sunday Night at Fiserv Forum with a big win over the Philadelphia 76ers 117-104. The Bucks improved to 56-22 and cut the magic number for the highly coveted 1 seed in the East to 3.
They came out intense and focused in the first quarter and never looked back. An early barrage from long distance and a 41 point 1st quarter set the tone as they took a 69-53 lead into the halftime break. The Sixers cut the lead to 5 midway through the 3rd but a late surge led by Giannis Antentokoumpo helped the Bucks close things out going away on their home court.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 29 points on 6-7 shooting from three. MVP candidate Joel Embiid had 28 points and 9 rebounds for the Sixers.
The Bucks were led by Giannis who had 33 and 14, but it was a balanced offensive effort that led to the win as 5 players saw double figures.
It was also a statement made against an East contender after a few days of chatter about the Bucks being able to pass those types of regular season tests.
The Bucks now travel to Washington to take on the Wizards Tuesday night in hopes of taking another step toward the top seed in the East.