The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 124-117, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night.

The Bucks (36-22) came into the contest in less than optimal shape after forging a 3-5 mark over their previous eight games, but Milwaukee served notice early that Thursday would feature one of their vintage performances. The hosts utilized strong play on both ends of the floor to take a 40-26 lead through one, and they had expanded their advantage to 17 points by halftime and 21 to start the fourth quarter. Philadelphia's second unit helped make the final margin of victory a lot closer than what would had seemed likely at one point, as they finished on a 14-2 run over the final 6:30.

Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 24 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and one block. Shake Milton provided 20 points, four assists and three rebounds. Tobias Harris supplied 18 points, six assists and two boards. Seth Curry, Mike Scott and Tyrese Maxey churned out matching 11-point tallies, with Scott pulling down four rebounds and Maxey dishing out five assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 27 points, complementing them with 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block. Khris Middleton registered 24 points, five assists, one rebound and one steal. Bobby Portis totaled 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal. Brook Lopez recorded 16 points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Jrue Holiday offered 12 points, 11 assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Patrick Connaughton managed 10 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block.

The 76ers and Bucks reconvene for a rematch on Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee.