PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to explain his early hot streak from the floor when – hey, wait a minute! – he saw himself in a commercial on a muted TV.
Antetokounmpo interrupted his thought and praised actor Simu Liu and said he had a “kind heart”.
Antetokounmpo smiled as the spot ended and said of Liu, “That’s my guy.”
The Greek Freak can credit his Milwaukee co-stars for some plays worthy of the highlight reel, as well.
Wesley Matthews hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 23.8 seconds left, and Antetokounmpo had 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bucks to a 90-88 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday.
“If the ball gets in Wes’ hands, you’re pretty confident the ball is going in,” Brook Lopez said.
Lopez scored 17 points as the Bucks, who went 0-5 in the preseason, won their season opener after Matthews surprised the Sixers on the long three. James Harden, who scored 31 and rallied the Sixers in the fourth, missed a jumper that could have won the game.
“It was a good look, it wasn’t a great look,” Harden said.
Matthews, starting his 14th NBA season, hit two 3s and scored eight points, including the winner off a kick-out pass from Grayson Allen.
“It was a great decision and Wes was able to knock down the shot,” Antetokounmpo said.
The 76ers lost their opener on Tuesday night in Boston and had another weak defensive effort early that had the Philly crowd booing them off the court in the third quarter.
Tyrese Maxey added 15 points for the Sixers. Joel Embiid was shut down by Lopez and Antetokounmpo and did not score in the second half. Embiid, who declined to talk to the media, finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
“It’s tough. He’s such a load,” Lopez said. “You’ve got to try and keep him off his spot as much as possible. But pretty much every place on the floor is his spot.”
