NBA Game of the Week: 76ers vs. Bucks

The NBA is officially back and two heavyweight teams in the Eastern Conference will be going at it. The Philadelphia 76ers will travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

The big trade that turned heads for NBA fans was a three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Bucks.

This trade also sent Jrue Holiday and Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers. Holiday was then dealt to the Boston Celtics just a few days later.

Lillard will be joining two talented players in Milwaukee, both of whom have seen great success in the postseason.

Lillard is joining Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to form a dangerous big three.

High expectations will be set for the Bucks this season. Milwaukee will be acquiring a player who has not scored below 19 points per game in his whole career and will look to start the season off strong in the green and white.

Khris Middleton will want to do his best to return to form after missing a good portion of last season due to a right knee injury.

Before last year, Middleton had consistent numbers averaging at least 20 points per game the past three seasons.

Giannis will look to be as dominant as he always has been. The Greek Freak has averaged a double-double in his last three seasons.

Giannis will also be seeking to show off his stellar defense, averaging five blocks per game over the past five seasons.

The Bucks will want to continue their success right off the jump against a strong 76ers squad.

The 76ers will be riding with the MVP of the 2023 season, Joel Embiid.

Embiid has been a constant force for many years now. Being able to shoot from three consistently along with bringing a dominant presence inside is something very special to watch.

Seeing Embiid vs. Giannis on the inside will be very interesting to watch on Thursday night.

Embiid has put together fantastic numbers in his career, putting up 30 points per game the past two seasons along with double-digit rebounds the past five seasons.

He led the league in points per game last season.

Will Embiid be able to replicate his historic season? That question will be answered soon.

Along with the superstar center, Tyrese Maxey is a young talented force for the 76ers backcourt.

Maxey has broken out the past two seasons, averaging 17.5 and 20.3 points per game in each of them.

Maxey has also been lights out from three, hovering around at 42 to 43 percent the past two seasons.

The 22-year-old will want to continue that success right from the jump.

A player that the 76ers may not be having this season is disgruntled all-star James Harden, who has not been showing up to camp due to a trade request.

Harden led the league last season in assists per game and will be missed in that aspect of the offense.

His status remains unclear for Thursday evening.

Emiid and Maxey will be ready to shine for Philadelphia as they try to steal a win in Milwaukee.

These playoff-caliber teams will be prepared to play their best under the spotlight and pick up a primetime win.

Ben Barker is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bsb5566@psu.edu.