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Opinion

Sixers-Bucks preview: Facing ailing, struggling Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks have 106.9 offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) in their last 13 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the biggest steals in recent drafts.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the biggest steals in recent drafts.Read moreWINSLOW TOWNSON / AP
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

76ers (34-27) at Milwaukee Bucks (33-29)

Sunday at 8 p.m., at BMO Harris Bradley Center

Talking points

The Sixers and Bucks have split their first two meetings of the season. The  Sixers won on Jan. 20 against a Milwaukee squad without all-star power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo at Wells Fargo Center. Nine days later, the Bucks beat a Philly squad without all-star center Joel Embiid at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.  Both standouts are expected to play tonight. However,  Milwaukee has lost four straight while dealing with injuries to other players and offensive shortcoming. They have a 106.9 offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) in their last 13 games.

How to watch and follow the game

  1. TV and streaming: NBC Sports Philadelphia; ESPN

  2. Radio: 97.5 FM

  3. Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers

Starting lineups

Sixers (34-27)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  11.5 ppg. 5.5 rpg

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  14.7 ppg. 7.0 rpg.

21 Joel Embiid C 7-2 23.8 ppg. 11.3 rpg.

17 JJ Redick SG 6-4  16.7 ppg. 3.2 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 16.6 ppg. 7.4 apg.

Coach: Brett Brown (Fifth season, 109-280)

Injury report: Markelle Fultz (working on his shot and what the team calls shoulder rehabilitation, out); Justin Anderson (sprained right ankle, out); Furkan Korkmaz (lisfranc injury, left foot, out).

Bucks (33-29)

22 Khris Middleton SF 6-8  20.1 ppg. 4.0 apg

34 Giannis Antetokounmpo PF 6-11  27.2 ppg. 10.2 rpg.

31 John Henson C 6-11 8.8 ppg. 6.9 rpg.

21 Tony Snell SG 6-7  7.3 ppg. 2.1 rpg.

6 Eric Bledsoe PG 6-1 17.3 ppg. 4.5 apg.

Coach: Joe Prunty(First season, 10-7)

Injury report:  Malcolm Brogdon (left quad tendon injury, out); Matthew Dellavedova (sprained right ankle, out); Tony Snell (right thigh contusion, probable); Mirza  Teletovic (pulmonary emboli, out).

Head to head

The Bucks hold a 106-99 series advantage.

Coming games

Tuesday: 7 p.m., at Spectrum Center, Sixers vs. Hornets

Thursday: 7:30 p.m., at American Airlines Center, Sixers vs. Heat

March 11: 7:30 p.m., at Barclays Center, Sixers vs. Brooklyn Nets

March 13: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Indiana Pacers vs. Sixers

March 15: 7:30 p.m., at Madison Square Garden, Sixers vs. New York Knicks