Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Predictions, Starting Lineups (2/25/24)
The Philadelphia 76ers are in survival mode right now, desperately trying to hold onto their playoff hopes (without a play-in win required)! Can Philly defeat the Milwaukee Bucks on its home floor and keep the Indiana Pacers (sixth seed in the Eastern Conference) at bay for at least another day? Find out below through our Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers prediction, which features an in-depth preview, our favorite betting picks, and each team’s odds of winning the game!
Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction
After dropping seven of their first ten games with Doc Rivers at the helm, the Milwaukee Bucks finally showed some life in their road win against Minnesota, the best team in the Western Conference, on Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Sixers are just 4-10 in their past 14 games and have stumbled from as high as second in the Eastern Conference to fifth; they are only two games ahead of eighth place and still won’t get Joel Embiid back for several more weeks. Desperation has set in for this squad.
This is a terrible matchup for the 76ers, who will be without Joel Embiid again and relying heavily on Paul Reed to pull rebounds. Philly averages the sixth-fewest rebounds in the NBA when Embiid is sidelined, while Milwaukee has several players who can crash the glass at a high level, including Giannis Antetokounmpo. Making matters worse, the Sixers allow opposing power forwards to secure the most rebounds per game of any team in the NBA.
Further, Philly’s recent home play is deeply concerning. The Sixers have dropped six of their past seven home games, boasting the second-worst net rating of any team in that span and the lowest field goal percentage, too. We can’t back a team that has been this poor on their own floor.
Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 (-109)
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Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers Best Odds
On Sunday, the Milwaukee Bucks are 4.5-point road favorites against the Embiid-less 76ers in Philadelphia. Milwaukee has Moneyline odds of -205 to log its second consecutive road win after knocking off the Western Conference’s best team (Minnesota Timberwolves) on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Sixers are +170 to stop their recent slide, where they have dropped six of their past nine games. Philly is 17-13 against the spread at home this season but has covered most of those games with Embiid available, while the Bucks are only 10-17 ATS as a road team this year.
The point total for this clash between two of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference sits at 230 points, with the Over and Under both holding -110 odds on DraftKings. Philadelphia holds one of the best Over records (32-24) in the NBA, while the Bucks have an Over record of 29-27-1.
Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Jae Crowder
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineup
PG: Tyrese Maxey
SG: Buddy Hield
SF: Kelly Oubre Jr.
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Paul Reed
Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers Injuries
Currently, Khris Middleton is the only player who is listed as out for this matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers; he has been dealing with a minor, nagging ankle injury, missing the past six games for Milwaukee. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers will continue to be without reigning MVP Joel Embiid, as well as a 3-and-D wing Robert Covington due to knee injuries.
