PENNSYLVANIA – Milwaukee Bucks leaned on a late triple by Wesley Matthews to defeat Philadelphia 76ers, 90-88, in the 2022-2023 NBA Season on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Comfortably ahead by double-digits early in the fourth quarter, the Bucks were stunned by a furious run by the 76ers as the latter took a 88-86 lead on two free throws by P.J. Tucker.
The Bucks, however, quickly regained the advantage at 89-88 in the next possession. Matthews uncorked a three-pointer from top of the key from a pass by Grayson Allen with 24 ticks left.
Philadelphia’s James Harden then missed on a potential game-winning layup before Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez sealed the victory with a split free throw in the final 2.2 seconds.
Matthews finished the game with eight points, including two triples, while Giannis Antetokounmpo flirted with triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Bucks (1-0).
Lopez also had a good offensive game with four triples for 17 points, Allen chipped in 12 points as Bobby Portis came off the bench with double-double 11 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee.
Harden had 31 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey ended with 15 markers apiece as the 76ers dropped to 0-2 slate.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Clippers renewed their mastery of Los Angeles Lakers with a 103-97 beating at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Paul George tallied double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds, Ivica Zubac also had double-double 14 points and 17 boards as Marcus Morris Sr. and Luke Kennard contributed 14 and 11, respectively, for the Clippers.
John Wall and Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, returned from almost a year of absence from NBA action to score 15 and 14 markers, respectively, for the LA Clippers.
BOX SCORE:
MILWAUKEE 90 — G. Antetokoumpo 21, Lopez 17, Allen 12, Portis 11, Matthews 8, Nwora 6, Holiday 6, Carter 5, Hill 4, Ibaka 0.
PHILADELPHIA 88 — Harden 31, Embiid 15, Maxey 15, Harris 9, Melton 9, Tucker 5, House Jr 4, Niang 0, Reed 0, Harrell 0, Thybulle 0.
Quarterscores: 30-24; 47-45; 73-63; 90-88./PN
