76ers’ Cam Payne Fired Up About Facing Milwaukee Bucks

When the Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their Friday night matchup with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, they anticipated a day off before going head-to-head with one of their biggest Eastern Conference competitors, the Milwaukee Bucks.

While Bucks-Sixers is typically a game that has a spotlight on it since it features two of the East’s frequent contenders, Sunday’s matchup holds some more weight.

For starters, the Bucks now employ former 76ers head coach Doc Rivers. That wasn’t the case the first time the Sixers faced the Bucks back in October, but the organization made some shockingly significant changes recently by firing Adrian Griffin and replacing him with Rivers following his short-lived three-year tenure with the Sixers.

Sunday doesn’t just mark the first return of Rivers at the Wells Fargo Center since becoming a member of the Sixers — it’s also the return of the veteran guard Patrick Beverley.

Earlier this month, Beverley was Tyrese Maxey’s backup and one of the vocal veterans in the locker room. On the day of the trade deadline, the Sixers sent Beverley packing in a deal for a draft pick, along with the veteran guard Cam Payne.

Ahead of Sunday’s game against the Bucks, Payne didn’t have much to say about the upcoming matchup, but he made it clear he looked forward to it.

“It’s turnt,” he told reporters. “It’s turnt… It’s turnt. Let’s get it!”

The veteran guard didn’t have much to say about the upcoming matchup, but he sure looks motivated to have a revenge game, as traded veterans typically would.

Over the offseason, Payne chose the Bucks via free agency after getting traded by the Phoenix Suns and waived by the San Antonio Spurs. Payne hoped to help the Bucks for one season as they attempted to battle for a title.

He appeared in 47 games for the Bucks, garnering a steady role by playing 15 minutes a night. Off the bench, Payne knocked down 46 percent of his shots and 40 percent of his threes while averaging six points and two assists.

Payne’s role might not be as steady with the Sixers since they acquired Kyle Lowry and have De’Anthony Melton back in the mix. However, his first six games in Philadelphia gave him an opportunity to show that he can still be very useful.

He looks forward to helping contribute to a potential second-straight victory on Sunday over Milwaukee.