Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points (22 in the paint) and 16 rebounds, and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-109.
Bobby Portis’ corner 3-pointer put the Bucks ahead for good with 4:51 left in the fourth quarter.
The 76ers got within 109-107 on Andre Drummond’s tip-in with 2:49 to play, but Antetokounmpo answered with 2 free throws, and the 76ers got no closer.
During clutch time, the Bucks outscored the 76ers 15-5. Antetokounmpo scored 4 of the Bucks’ 15 on 1 for 3 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line.
Grayson Allen scored 25 points (15 on 5 3-pointers) on 8 for 13 shooting, and Semi Ojeleye added 11 points and 8 rebounds off the bench.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, and Furkan Korkmaz went 1 for 12 from 3. Georges Niang scored 21 points with 5 3-pointers off the bench. Shake Milton had 20 points and 6 assists. Drummond had 17 points and 20 rebounds. The 76ers had 3 20-point scorers.
The Bucks shot 46.3% from the field and 38.5% from 3 to the 76ers’ 40.8% and 32.6%. The 76ers forced 9 turnovers, about 5 fewer than usual for this many possessions. The 76ers’ starters were outscored 44-29 in 15 minutes together. Niang fouled out.