© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks handle the Philadelphia Sixers to inch closer to securing the #1 record
The Milwaukee Bucks inched closer to securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference after they pulled off a 117-104 victory over the Philadelphia Sixers on Sunday night.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, along with 14 rebounds and six assists to help the Bucks stretch their NBA-best record to 56-22.
Tight race for the top seed
Milwaukee holds a two-game lead over the Boston Celtics (54-24), with the two squads both having four games left.
The Celtics won the season series with the Bucks and have the tiebreaker.
In keeping their hopes of clinching the top seed in the East alive, the Bucks also avenged their 133-130 loss to the Sixers on March 2nd. That loss ended Milwaukee's 16-game win streak, which is by far the season's longest winning streak.
Milwaukee came into the match reeling from a 140-99 home loss to Boston but was razor-sharp against Philadelphia as they never trailed throughout the game.
"I thought they just kicked our butt," said 76ers coach Doc Rivers. "They were more aggressive, they were prepared. They beat us all the way around."
Brook Lopez added 21 points, Khris Middleton had 19, and Jrue Holiday and Bobby Portis each added 18.
Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 29 points, while Joel Embiid finished with 28.
Hot start
The Bucks took control of the match by making their first eight field goal attempts and 12 of their first 13.
The hot start allowed the Bucks to lead by as many as 20 points in the first half before they settled for a 69-53 lead at the turn.
Philadelphia came up with a big run in the third period and threatened within 73-77 with 4:16 left in the quarter.
Milwaukee regrouped and ended the third strong to take a sizable 96-82 lead going into the final stanza, where they would finish the job.
