Sixers fall to the Bucks, 107-97

THERE IS NO animosity - or if there is, Michael Carter-Williams hides it very well. He didn't appear to have an agenda in his first game back in Philadelphia after being dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline in a move that shocked most. He appears grateful for all he learned and accomplished while here, which included last season's rookie of the year award.

Still, the comfort level wasn't at its highest as he met with former teammates and coaches before last night's game. It certainly got easier as the night went along, as MCW had a game-high and career-high-tying 30 points in helping the Bucks to a 107-97 win over the Sixers (18-63).

How things have changed for MCW. His game has been altered a bit, from being the central figure of the 76ers' offense to becoming a key but peripheral piece for Bucks coach Jason Kidd. He is playing to his strength of taking the ball to the basket more and settling for long jumpers less. He also is now gearing for the playoffs, as the Bucks clinched a postseason spot on Sunday.

"I think that he's fit in perfect," said Kidd, whose team improved to 41-40. "Any time [you have] midseason trades, no matter vet or young player, it's always a process of understanding the system offensively and defensively, new teammates. I think Michael's playing as well as he has all year, probably like he did when he was the rookie of the year. He's been going to the basket, making the game easy for his teammates."

Over the past four games, Carter-Williams has posted 91 points and shot 38-for-61 (62.3 percent) from the floor. Last night, he was aided offensively by O.J. Mayo (13 points), Ersan Ilyasova (13) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (12).

Robert Covington led the Sixers with 25 points, his third consecutive game with 20 or more. Hollis Thompson added 19, while Thomas Robinson had 12 and JaKarr Sampson and Henry Sims had 10 each.

After scoring 58 points and shooting 56.4 percent in the first half, the Sixers made only four of 17 shots from the floor in the third. They also were hurt by 30 turnovers, a floor record for the team. It all added to a sweet homecoming for MCW.

"It was strange, having new teammates and a new coaching staff and not knowing too many people," Carter-Williams said of the trade. "It's different. It takes time to adjust, but I've adjusted. My new teammates are great, and they did a great job filling me in on the new things with plays and on- and off-the-court things.

"It feels great. I didn't know when I was going to start going to the playoffs, and then the trade, and those guys worked really hard to put themselves in position to go to the playoffs. It's great to experience that."

Initially, the move to Milwaukee would almost have seemed lateral for Carter-Williams, as the Bucks had a league-worst 15 wins last season and lost No. 2 pick Jabari Parker to a knee injury after only 25 games. But Kidd has done a terrific job of improving the team's defense, and the Bucks have a nice crop of veterans who are all rounding into health at just the right time. And Carter-Williams has played very well, especially lately.

"I think I've been able to get to the post a little bit more," MCW said. "Coach Kidd has taught me a lot just from the point-guard position. I think I've been able to slow down a little bit and really work on different things. It's a different type of basketball. I think the defensive schemes are a little different. We don't play as fast as when I was in Philly. It's just different basketball.

"I take a lot of things that coach [Brett] Brown taught me and brought it over to Milwaukee; just in terms of playing hard and competing on every possession. I try to listen to a lot of the things on the defensive end that coach taught me and I'm going to use it throughout my whole career. I think I've improved on being a leader on the court, controlling the game, controlling the pace of the game. I think that's where I've grown."

Carter-Williams still keeps an eye on his old teammates and how the Sixers have been doing. He knows they play hard every night, though most nights the talent still isn't on par with the opponent. He even heard the comments by Nerlens Noel saying that Ish Smith is the first true point guard he's played with.

"I always check the scores and see how guys are doing," Carter-Williams said. "They've been playing well and coach has them playing hard. Nerlens has been playing exceptional, playing really good. I wish them the best. I have faith and good hopes for them.

"I didn't know the context [of Noel's comment]. I didn't know the question that was asked. I don't have too much to say about it. I've known Nerlens for a long time. I'm sure he wasn't trying to take a shot at me. And if he was, then I don't know [laughs]. Nerlens is my friend, he's my 'dog,' he's cool and we've been cool since we were young. I didn't even think too much into it."

He doesn't have time. Too many other things to think about at his new home, especially the upcoming playoffs.

Blog: ph.ly/Sixerville