Sixers-Bucks 5 Things: Noel, Holmes Look to Build on Strong Performances

The Sixers (16-27) will look to sweep a back-to-back set when they face the Milwaukee Bucks (21-23) at BMO Bradley Center on Wednesday night (8 p.m./CSN, CSNPhilly.com and the NBC Sports app).

Let's take a closer look at the matchup:

1. All hands on deck
The Sixers knew they would need a total team effort with Joel Embiid sidelined during this latest back-to-back and they got it in the first matchup.

Six players scored in double-figures in the Sixers' 121-110 win over the LA Clippers. Nerlens Noel and Richaun Holmes led the way, combining for 37 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the victory (see game story).

With both Embiid and Jahlil Okafor out because of knee issues, Noel and Holmes more than picked up the slack.

The Sixers will need another balanced effort against the Bucks. They had eight players reach double-digit points during a 113-104 win in Milwaukee just 10 days ago.

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2. Dangerous deer duo
Whether the Sixers are able to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely determine their level of success on Wednesday. They allowed the "Greek Freak" to score 21 points in the first half of the last matchup, but they limited him to just two after intermission to seal the win.

However, he's not the lone Bucks scorer the Sixers have to worry about. Jabari Parker is always a threat to go on a scoring binge and may be playing with some added motivation these days.

Parker was benched to start the Bucks' 109-97 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday after he shared what transpired during a team meeting with the media. The third-year forward's teammates made the decision about the benching.

He struggled that night with 16 points on 7 of 18 shooting in 32 minutes off the bench. Parker followed that up by going off for 28 points and eight boards in his return to the starting lineup in the Bucks' 127-114 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday.

Parker, who recorded 23 points and five rebounds against the Sixers in the last meeting, will look to continue that momentum on Wednesday.

3. Dialing long distance
The Sixers connected on 10 of 29 three-pointers in their win over the Clippers to give them three straight games with double-digit treys. They are now up to seventh in the NBA with 10.5 triples per game.

That sharpshooting should continue against a Bucks team that struggles to defend beyond the arc. Milwaukee is 27th in the league in threes allowed with 10.6 a night.

The Sixers drilled 14 of 37 three-pointers against the Bucks earlier this month. Ersan Ilyasova, Robert Covington, Nik Stauskas, Dario Saric, Gerald Henderson and Chasson Randle each made two threes in that game.

4. Injuries
Okafor (knee), Embiid (knee), Ben Simmons (foot) and Jerryd Bayless (wrist) are out for the Sixers.

Khris Middleton (hamstring) is out for the Bucks.

5. This and that
• The Sixers had lost nine straight to the Bucks before winning the last clash.

• The Bucks scored 60 points in the paint in the prior matchup.

• After committing 97 turnovers in their previous five games, the Sixers turned the ball over just six times against the Clippers.

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