The Sixers (0-3) will continue a busy week when they travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks (1-3) on Wednesday night at BMO Harris Bradley Center (8 p.m./CSN).
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup:
1. A tale of two halves
The Sixers were able to build a big lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half on Monday. Then the Cavs ramped it up during the second half to secure a 107-100 win.
It was a familiar sight for the Sixers, as they were outscored after halftime for the third time in their three games this season (168-139). They especially struggled during the third quarter against the Cavs, as they lost the period 33-18.
“The first half we did a good job of balancing the post and pace,” head coach Brett Brown said. “It’s a great learning lesson for young players to understand that the third period when you come out of locker rooms, you can go one way or the other. I think we need to jump into the game at the start of third periods.”
The Sixers will attempt to end their second-half struggles and put a full game together when they take on the Bucks.
2. Finding a flow
One good thing to come out of the Sixers’ loss to the Cavs was a sustained attack on offense. The Sixers scored a season-high 100 points, with 54 of those coming in the paint.
NBA
While the Sixers’ 44.7 field goal percentage against the Cavaliers is nothing to brag about, it was definitely a step in the right direction from their previous two games.
The Sixers could take another step offensively against Milwaukee. The Bucks’ defense has been leaky to start the season. They have allowed 110.5 points per game so far.
The Bucks have been particularly vulnerable from long range. Opponents have connected on a league-high 43.2 percent of three-pointers against them.
Even with Robert Covington potentially being back on the shelf (UPDATE, 5 p.m.: he's out indefinitely) after reinjuring his knee during practice, still look for the Sixers to try and exploit the Bucks’ weakness from beyond the arc.
3. Prepare for Parker
While the Sixers could be losing a sharpshooting forward in Covington, the Bucks are welcoming one back to the lineup on Wednesday night.
Forward Jabari Parker will make his season debut against the Sixers. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft was cleared to play earlier this week after recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered last December.
Parker flashed the promise Milwaukee expected when it drafted him in 25 games last season. He averaged 12.3 points on 49.0 percent shooting to go along with 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Parker was really on the rise right before tearing his ACL. He posted 15.0 points on 58.9 percent shooting in the seven games before the injury occurred on Dec. 15, 2014.
Bucks head coach Jason Kidd said Parker would be on a restriction of 15-20 minutes, but that’s long enough for the Duke product to make an impact on the stat sheet.
4. Injuries
Parker (knee) and Tyler Ennis (shoulder) will make their season debuts. John Henson (Achilles) is questionable.
Covington (knee) is out.
Tony Wroten (knee), Kendall Marshall (knee), Carl Landry (wrist) and Joel Embiid (foot) are out.
5. This and that
• The Sixers lost all four matchups with the Bucks last season and have dropped six straight in the series.
• Michael Carter-Williams averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two games against his former team last season.
• Jahlil Okafor has led the Sixers in scoring in two of their three games.
• Parker also made his home debut against the Sixers last season. He had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.