Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to watch for in showdown vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Slowing down Embiid

The Bucks’ win over the 76ers earlier this month was especially notable in the way they suffocated Philly’s All-Star big man Joel Embiid.

Finishing with 19 points on 26 shots (3-for-10 from deep, 4-for-7 from the foul line), Embiid had one of his worst performances of the season as the Bucks’ all-Lopez frontcourt stymied Embiid at every turn, who had been hampered by his torn ligament on his left hand.

Since that stumbling showing, the sixth-year big man has maintained his aggression trying to search for his own shot and physically overpower the opposition. That was certainly on display against Brooklyn where Embiid powered his team with a season-high 39-point performance.

Speaking to reporters following Philadelphia’s overtime win Thursday, Embiid directly spoke to wanting to maintain his presence in the paint, on the block and getting to the free throw line to keep up his offensive aggression, as Bontemps relayed via ESPN:

"“I’ve got to do it,” he said. “I’ve got to duck in. I’ve got to be aggressive. I had a couple offensive fouls, meaning three seconds and charge because of my duck-ins and how much I was in the paint. “If I’ve got to get three-second calls and offensive fouls, so what? It’s just about being aggressive.”"

That sentiment is nothing new for Embiid as he’s spoken in the past, as recently as last season, about his weariness of wanting to play a more perimeter-oriented role, but does it out of necessity to open up the 76ers’ offense:

"“I don’t like shooting 3s,” Embiid said. “I only do it because of the spacing that we have, and sometimes I have to take them. I have to be on the perimeter, just getting guys open, because of all the attention that sometimes it seems are presented to me."

That certainly plays into the Bucks’ hands for how they’ll want to defend Embiid, which may be helped by Simmons returning into the fold. And if Embiid has his opportunities to play down low, I’m sure the Bucks and their historically great interior defense feels confident about their chances in that regard too.

The Bucks’ showdown with the 76ers will tip off at 7.30 p.m. central time Saturday night and you can catch the action on ABC where it will be nationally televised.