Philadelphia’s reserves stole the spotlight Friday night as the 76ers rolled past the Milwaukee Bucks 116-101, marking their third consecutive victory to start December. The performance highlighted the depth of Philadelphia’s roster and the critical role of their bench in sustaining a winning streak.
Quentin Grimes led the charge with an impressive 22 points, sparking a wave of energy from the second unit. Paul George contributed 20 points, while Jabari Walker delivered a season-high 18 off the bench, giving the 76ers the boost they needed after a narrow 99-98 win over the Golden State Warriors the previous night. The team’s streak began earlier in the week with a victory over Washington, underscoring Philadelphia’s balanced approach and the effectiveness of its deep lineup.
Philadelphia’s reserves combined for 61 points, compensating for a quieter night from Tyrese Maxey, who was held to a season-low 12 points. The 76ers navigated the matchup without star center Joel Embiid, who was rested in back-to-back games, while the Bucks were also missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a strained calf and expected to be out for roughly four weeks.
Milwaukee faced additional challenges, including AJ Green leaving the game in the second quarter with a bruised shoulder. Despite the absences, the Bucks’ lineup featured strong contributions from Bobby Portis with 22 points, Kevin Porter Jr. adding 20, and Myles Turner posting 19.
The game remained close until Philadelphia initiated a decisive 15-2 run roughly seven minutes in, building a 28-15 lead. Jared McCain drained two 3-pointers during the surge, giving the 76ers momentum that would carry through the remainder of the game. Philadelphia extended its lead to as many as 26 points in the second quarter, forcing Milwaukee to play catch-up.
The Bucks managed to reduce the deficit to single digits late in the fourth quarter when Portis hit a corner three, cutting the score to 103-94 with 4:16 remaining. However, a quick defensive play by Ryan Rollins led to a missed attempt from Portis and a basket by Maxey, restoring Philadelphia’s comfortable lead. The 76ers maintained double-digit advantage until the final buzzer, securing a statement win built on bench scoring and team depth.
Philadelphia will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, aiming to extend their winning streak, while Milwaukee travels to Detroit on Saturday for another crucial matchup. For fans and analysts following game results, in-depth coverage, and player performances, you can explore more about the 76ers and Bucks and stay updated on all New Jersey basketball news.
