© Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Milwaukee Bucks begin season vs. the Philadelphia 76ers
The Milwaukee Bucks gun for an auspicious start when they host the Philadelphia Sixers for the season opener on Thursday night at the Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks have become the most intriguing team in the NBA after they acquired seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard, whose arrival forms a deadly duo with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee lost heady playmaker Jrue Holiday in acquiring Lillard, but with Dame and Giannis, the Bucks now have two players who averaged 30 points a game last season.
Milwaukee was able to re-sign old reliable Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, while Bobby Portis, MarJon Bueachamp, Jae Crowder, along with new recruits Cameron Payne and Malik Beasley, can also be counted on as the Bucks bid to bounce from a disappointing campaign last season.
Out for revenge
Milwaukee emerged as the number-one seed last season but stumbled in a devastating fashion on the big stage when they lost to the eighth-ranked Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
The first-round exit resulted in a major shake-up as the Bucks fired coach Mike Budenholzer, who was then replaced by former NBA player Adrian Griffin.
Trouble in Philadelphia
Milwaukee is facing a Philadelphia team that is dealing with issues involving one of its superstars. James Harden has requested a trade, and skipped team practices.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Harden returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday after a 10-day absence but was told not to travel with the team for the Bucks game and for their Saturday assignment against the Toronto Raptors.
The Sixers reached the Eastern Conference semis last season but squandered a 3-2 series lead against the Boston Celtics.
Injury report
All Milwaukee players will be available tonight, while James Harden is the only player out for the 76ers.
