Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to watch for in Christmas Day matchup with Philadelphia 76ers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 04: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo #34, George Hill #3, Sterling Brown #23, and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks congratulate on another against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 4, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks defeated the 76ers 128-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 04: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo #34, George Hill #3, Sterling Brown #23, and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks congratulate on another against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 4, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks defeated the 76ers 128-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Brook back?

All Bucks fans have been waiting for Brook Lopez to shed his extended shooting struggles and the last two Bucks wins have given us all a ray of hope in that regard.

Having been mired through a career nadir scoring the ball from all areas of the floor, averaging 10 points per game on .392/.305/.912 shooting splits this season, Lopez has kicked on in a considerable way. That’s especially the case from beyond the arc as he canned in seven triples across the Bucks’ wins over the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.

Over the Bucks’ three-game winning streak, Lopez has scored in double figures throughout each and every win and his play offensively is starting to match his All-Defensive caliber play on the other side of the ball.

Needless to say, Lopez will be a key Bucks player to watch in their first meeting of the season against the 76ers as his floor spacing and continued marksmanship will be critical to the Bucks overpowering the 76ers’ defense. And with this being the second straight Christmas Day game for the Bucks and for Lopez, he’s looking forward to the matchup against one of their biggest rivals as he told Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"“It’s going to be a great game, it’s going to be so much fun,” Brook Lopez said. “People are going to get beat up, complain about fouls, whatever. I don’t know what’s going to go on. But we obviously, I think everyone’s excited and up for this game. It’s an easy one to get up for – it’s on Christmas Day. It’s going to be a great game for us.”"

The Bucks’ battle with the 76ers will tip off at 1.30 p.m. central time.