MILWAUKEE — Brett Brown and a number of Sixers players admitted that playing against Michael Carter-Williams was going to be "awkward" before Wednesday's matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.
That strange feeling was a given after the team traded its starting point guard away just six days ago. What the Sixers couldn't have expected was to be so careless with the ball en route to a 104-88 loss to the Bucks.
The Sixers matched a season high with 28 turnovers as their record dropped to 12-45 with the loss.
Carter-Williams finished with seven points on 3 of 5 shooting. He added eights assists, two steals and one turnover in 17:31 of playing time.
Jerami Grant returned to action for the Sixers after missing one game with a lower-back contusion. He played 33 minutes and finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
Turning point
Bucks fans gave MCW a nice ovation when he was the final player announced in the starting lineup. Milwaukee seemed inspired while the Sixers looked lethargic from the opening tip.
The Sixers shot 5 for 20 in the first quarter and didn't get to double-digit points until there was 2:36 left in the opening period. Milwaukee led wire to wire.
Follow the leader
John Henson led all scorers with 21 points on 9 for 12 shooting. Khris Middleton was also 9 of 12 for 19 points.
NBA
Jerryd Bayless moved to the bench with Carter-Williams starting at the point. Bayless scored 13 points in a reserve role.
Jason Richardson led the Sixers in scoring with 16 points. He was 4 for 8 from three-point range.
Robert Covington added 13 points.
Stat-egic
The Sixers' first-half numbers were dismal. They scored 32 points on 32.4 percent shooting. They committed 19 turnovers, which led to 30 points for the Bucks.
For a second straight game, they allowed 61 points in the first half. It marked the 13th time this season the Sixers have allowed 60 or more points in the first half of a game.
Take a bow
Thomas Robinson, the newest Sixer, flew into Milwaukee Wednesday afternoon from New Orleans. Brown shook Robinson's hand, introduced himself, and threw the forward right into the mix for his fifth NBA team since being selected No. 5 overall in 2012.
Robinson played 13 minutes and finished with seven points and six rebounds.
What's next?
The Sixers return home to face the Wizards Friday night. The Wizards, at one point, were 30-15 on the season. They have gone 3-10 since with a 97-77 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
The Wizards have five players averaging double-figure points, including All-Star point guard John Wall. Wall is averaging a double-double with 17.2 points and 10.1 assists.