Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 121-109 loss to Philadelphia 76ers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks after the game on December 25, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 25: (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Silent night

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Christmas was spoiled before it even started.

Playing over 30 minutes of action, Antetokounmpo was limited to 18 points on 27 shots (0-for-7 from three, 2-for-4 from the foul line), 14 rebounds, seven assists, three turnovers, one steal, a block, and was a -18 on the day.

Entering the game with back soreness, Antetokounmpo’s ailment clearly bothered him throughout most, if not all facets of the game and especially when driving on his way to the rim and through contact. That led to Antetokounmpo finishing with 12 paint points as he went 6-of-12 when looking to finish at the basket, per NBA.com/stats.

Antetokounmpo’s outlier scoring effort was one to forget in his seven-year NBA career, considering he missed more shots than made points, and he’s never missed more than 18 shots in a game as ESPN’s Tim Bontemps relayed following the game.

Per ESPN Stats and Info, Giannis Antetokounmpo had never missed more than 18 shots in a game before today (he went 8-for-27). Sixers also tied their franchise-record with 21 made 3-pointers. Those both aren't exactly sustainable numbers for either side.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 25, 2019

Better nights will be ahead for the reigning MVP, but his frustrations were paramount this Christmas.

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