Milwaukee Bucks (0-0) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (0-0)
October 23, 2024 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Philadelphia 76ers +3.5; Over/Under: +224.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Wells Fargo Center. Here’s a Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction. This article will include a Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks Pick.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
The Bucks play the Bulls and Nets next. The Milwaukee Bucks won 49 games last season and lost in the first round for the second straight year. The Bucks now enter the first full season under coach Doc Rivers. With Damian Lillard in better shape, it’s going to be fun to see the pairing with Giannis Antetokounmpo fresh out of the gate. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis remain the rocks of the Bucks, and hopefully, Khris Middleton can stay healthy. The core of the Bucks remains the same, and there’s an upside if things can come together and health is on their side.
With just one playoff series win since winning the NBA title, it feels like the Bucks are due for a breakthrough. Of course, the elephant in the room is Rivers as head coach. While accomplished and has longevity, Rivers hasn’t had much recent postseason success, and he didn’t make that much of a difference when replacing Adrian Griffin.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview
The 76ers play the Raptors and Pacers next. The 76ers are coming off 47 wins and enter the second year under coach Nick Nurse. The 76ers have a contender on paper with a trio of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid. The problem is George and Embiid enter the season banged up and will miss at least the first week of the season. There are also reports that Embiid will be limited throughout the season and won’t play at the end of back-to-backs. It’s hard to take the 76ers seriously if their team can’t stay healthy or can’t find a rhythm because guys are constantly in and out of the lineup. At full strength, the 76ers are more than capable of going toe to toe with any team in the league. I guess we’ll see if that ever happens.
The 76ers have won at least 43 games in each of their last 7 seasons.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report
Khris Middleton is questionable for the Bucks with an ankle injury. The 76ers will be without Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Jared McCain.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The 76ers have lost each of their last seven season openers against Central Division opponents.
- The Bucks have won each of their last four games against the 76ers.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in six of their last seven road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The 76ers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three home openers against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of the 76ers’ last 11 night games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Bucks’ last seven road games have gone OVER the total points line.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
The 76ers have depth and Maxey is capable of being the top player and putting the team on his back. However, no George or Embiid is tough this early in the season when guys are still trying to get their feet under them. The Bucks are almost full strength and there’s a chance Middleton suits up. This feels like a game where Antetokounmpo can take over in the paint, and I expect a bounce-back season from Lillard. You could argue the Bucks should be even bigger favorites. I’ll lay the points with Milwaukee on the road.
