Dame, Giannis impress NBA fans as Bucks win against 76ers with Paul George and Embiid out | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

This was a high-profile potential playoff preview between two of the presumptive challengers for the Boston Celtics' crown, but it also wasn't representative of what this matchup could look like down the line, with Embiid, George and Middleton all sidelined.

Lillard and Antetokounmpo still provided star power, with the former attacking the basket off the dribble and creating space outside the arc while the latter set the tone with quick inside baskets. But none of them were as aggressive as Maxey, who made 19 field goal attempts in the first half alone.

Unfortunately for the home team, this aggressive approach wasn't the most efficient. The Bucks took a 58-47 halftime lead as Maxey struggled with his shooting both inside and outside the three-point line.

In the third quarter, Lillard took matters into his own hands and caught fire from distance.

He scored 15 points in the quarter, taking full advantage of the gap created by Antetokounmpo's appeal. He wasn't the only one, as offseason signing Taurean Prince found his shot from deep and the Bucks continued to pull away.

The game was never really in doubt in the fourth quarter after Lillard's attack, and Brook Lopez's interior defense en route to six blocks ensured the 76ers couldn't make up for the deficit too much.

Milwaukee will now look to build some momentum when it hosts the Chicago Bulls in its home opener on Friday.