The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo readies to shoot a free throw against the 76ers on Tuesday in Philadelphia. (AP photo)

Antetokounmpo scored 40 points and had a game-deciding block of Joel Embiid in the final seconds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 118-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night in a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

Khris Middleton added 22 points and Jrue Holiday had 18 for the Bucks, who pulled within a half-game of idle Miami for first place in the East.

Milwaukee was clinging to a two-point lead when Antetokounmpo swatted away Embiid’s put-back attempt with 1.6 seconds left.

“Spectacular block,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said.

The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo goes through his pregame routine before a game against the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 15 in Milwaukee. (AP file photo)

“Just a special block,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.

It was an amazing play.

Antetokounmpo, though, seemed more eager to test out his material from his postgame read, a book titled “Dad Jokes,” and opened his postgame press conference like this:

Q: What do you call a cow on the floor?

A: Ground beef

Antetokounmpo seemed amused by the joke, which drew only light chuckles from reporters. If not an air ball, it certainly seemed like a miss.

His game, however, continues to get rave reviews.

“We count on him to make big plays,” Middleton said. “We don’t expect him to make that block, but when he does, we’re not surprised.”

Said Holiday, “Giannis just being Giannis. Made a great play and saved the game.”

James Harden had 32 points and nine rebounds for the 76ers, and Embiid recovered from a slow start and finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Philadelphia dropped 1 1/2 games behind the Heat in the conference.

“Couple mistakes defensively and they made us pay for it,” Harden said.

Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for the defending NBA champion Bucks.

The Bucks scored 13 of the first 17 points of the fourth, going in front on Middleton’s 3-pointer that made it 94-93 with nine minutes to play.