Sixers END Bucks’ 16-game winning streak after double-act’s 58-year first as key question answered

The streak is over.

The Philadelphia 76ers have defeated Milwaukee 132-127 to put an end to the Bucks’ 16-straight wins in a thrilling clash at Fiserv Forum between the Eastern Conference powerhouses on Sunday (all times AEDT).

Trailing by 14 through three quarters, the Sixers rallied hard in the final stanza behind the lead of James Harden, who was the most dominant player on the court, pouring in 21 of his 38 points in the fourth.

Harden also made five threes with nine rebounds and 10 assists and shot a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line.

“He was fantastic, big shot after big shot, he led the comeback – he was just James Harden,” Joel Embiid said of his teammate.

Embiid was also huge with 31 points, six rebounds and 10 assists – marking the first time since 1965 that Philadelphia teammates have both recorded 30-plus points and 10-plus assists in the same game, per Sixers Stat – and Tyrese Maxey added 26 points.

Harden paid tribute to Embiid after arguably the best offensive display from the duo since they joined forces at Philadelphia.

“We’ve figured it out, he’s the lead scorer and we try to give him the ball and give him shots,” said Harden, who moved to Philadelphia last year from Brooklyn.

“One game at a time, we try to get better quarter by quarter and just keep pushing into the postseason.”

The thrilling comeback included Harden hitting a massive straight-on triple with the shot clock expiring to get Philly within a point at 124-125 with 1:21 remaining in the game to silence the home fans.

On the next play, Harden assisted an Embiid dagger three-pointer that gave the Sixers a 127-125 lead with 42 seconds remaining.

A Jrue Holiday missed three at the other end and ensuing pair of Maxey free throws extended the visitors’ lead to four to make it a two-possession game.

Milwaukee got one last chance to get back in the game, but Khris Middleton’s miss from beyond the arc all but sealed a big Sixers win.

For Milwaukee, who’s 16-straight wins was the longest streak this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 34 points and 13 rebounds despite fighting through double-teams in the fourth, and Holiday added 26 points and 13 assists.

For Sixers beat writer Mike O’Connor, it showed that the team’s incredible half-court offence – led by Harden and Embiid – can make up for its other flaws.

It sets up for an intriguing run home in the East, with the 45-18 Bucks now sitting just half a game ahead of the 45-19 Boston Celtics.

The third-placed Philly meanwhile trails Milwaukee by four games at 41-22 and will take great confidence out of Sunday’s win as Doc Rivers’ side looks to make its own push for the one seed down the stretch.

The Sixers continue their road trip in Indiana on Tuesday, while the Bucks will hope to bounce back in Washington on Monday.

All NBA Results

RAPTORS 116 WIZARDS 109

PISTONS 90 CAVALIERS 114

HAWKS 109 HEAT 117

ROCKETS 122 SPURS 110

76ERS 133 BUCKS 130

TIMBERWOLVES - KINGS