What to watch as 76ers face Bucks in game 1 of mini-series after 2 straight-losses

The 39-19 Philadelphia 76ers enter their two-game mini-series in Milwaukee against the 35-22 Bucks a half-game ahead of the Nets and 3.5 ahead of the Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings.

Here’s what to watch:

Tough luck

For both the Sixers and Bucks, their last game was a close loss to Phoenix. The Bucks have been home waiting for the Sixers since Devin Booker’s game-winning free throw Monday night with 0.3 seconds left in overtime.

The Sixers and Milwaukee are each looking to snap two-game losing streaks. 

Rivers didn’t know Wednesday who would be available for the Sixers after Tobias Harris (right knee soreness), Ben Simmons (illness) and Seth Curry (left hip flexor recovery) were all sidelined against the Suns. 

Payback

Remember Giannis Antetokounmpo’s overtime celebration in this season’s first Sixers-Bucks meeting?

Antetokounmpo had 32 points in the game — 28 after halftime — in addition to 15 rebounds and five assists. He turned the ball over four times and shot two-for-eight from the floor when defended by Simmons. The Bucks tried to avoid that matchup when possible by screening for Antetokounmpo and forcing switches. 

Closer

Shake Milton has played 50 games this year. His two worst in terms of field goal percentage? His last two. Milton also totaled seven turnovers in the Sixers’ losses to Golden State and Phoenix. 

The idea of George Hill taking Milton’s game is reasonable enough, but it obviously hasn’t come to fruition quite yet. Hill played well in his second game as a Sixer, posting 11 points on four-for-five shooting, two assists and no turnovers.

Essentials

When: 7:00 P.M. E.S.T.

Where: Fiserv Forum

Broadcast: TNT

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Social media coverage: Philly Sports Reports’ Twitter & Instagram.