Bucks' opening night matchup features familiar foe, promises plenty of fireworks

NBA Insider Shams Charania broke the news on X that the Milwaukee Bucks will head to Philadelphia to face the 76ers in their NBA season opener. These two teams faced off on the opening day of the 2023-24 season in Milwaukee with the Bucks winning the fiery contest 118-117.

Damian Lillard made his debut that night and led the Milwaukee Bucks with 39 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo opened with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey scored 31 for the Sixers and Joel Embiid scored 24. Milwaukee was down eight points with six minutes to play before Lillard took over and scored the team's final 11 points to complete the comeback.

With a full offseason under his belt and finally adjusting to life in Milwaukee, Lillard will be hoping to do the same against what is a fresh-looking Philadelphia team with them making a number of moves. They have added Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Reggie Jackson as notable role players, but the big move was adding nine-time All-Star Paul George to their roster.

It will be a great matchup to start the season as both teams will be looking to go deep in the playoffs and lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

The Bucks and 76ers have plenty of recent history

These two faced off on two more occasions in the 2023-24 season, with the Bucks sweeping the season series with a 119-98 win in Philly and then a 114-105 win infront of the Milwaukee crowd.

Giannis averaged 28.3 points and 11.6 rebounds in the three-game series, and if he can put up a similar stat line in the opener, then the Bucks will make a statement with a victory. Embiid was on course for an MVP season before being derailed by injuries and missing the minimum games threshold.

Both the stars will be looking to mount an MVP campaign again and having played in the Olympics, Giannis will be looking to claim his third MVP and second title, while Embiid will hope to add to his gold medal.

Khris Middleton started in last season's opener but played just 16 minutes and scored six points. This offseason, he underwent surgery on both ankles, and the hope is for him to be available to start the season. He played in 55 games and then showed out in the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers despite the nagging issue.

If he is healthy with a recovered Giannis off the back of the Olympics and Lillard with a full offseason under his belt, the Sixers' home opener and George's debut may be spoiled.

It is certain to be a spicy encounter and so expect plenty of fireworks. With the Sixers' moves this offseason, many have seemed to forget about the Bucks in the running for the Eastern Conference and so getting off to a hot start and making a statement in Philadelphia will remind many to not write the Bucks off.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks news as the 2024-25 NBA season edges closer.