Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers 3/29/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream
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Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers Matchup Preview (3/29/22)
The Milwaukee Bucks (46-28) face the Philadelphia 76ers (46-28) in a game with seeding ramifications for the Eastern Conference. The top 4 seeds – Celtics, Heat, 76ers, Bucks – are all within one game of each other. Home court advantage is huge in the playoffs, so this game has a far greater impact besides giving one team a win and one team a loss. The Bucks are 9-3 in March with the 7th Offensive Rating and 15th Defensive Rating. They are coming off a brutal 127-102 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant and Jrue Holiday were out, so both teams had to manage without their starting point guard. Giannis posted 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists on 55 FG%. Khris Middleton underwhelmed with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 31.2 FG%. The Grizzlies saw Desmond Bane (20 points, 5 assists) and De’Anthony Melton (24 points) have a great night. Memphis won every single quarter and never felt as if they would allow the Bucks back into the game. Against the 76ers, Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both expected to play. Serge Ibaka is also probable to play.
The 76ers are 9-5 in March with the 16th Offensive Rating and 11th Defensive Rating. They have the 3rd easiest remaining schedule, so the 1st seed is in their grasp. The 76ers just lost to the dominant Phoenix Suns 114-104. The 76ers held a four-point lead at halftime, but the Suns are easily the best clutch team in the NBA. Joel Embiid had a monster double-double of 37 points and 15 rebounds on 51.8 FG%. It was a subpar night for James Harden, who had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists on 18.1 FG%. Tobias Harris chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds, yet he missed key shots down the stretch. For the Suns, Devin Booker poured in 35 points on a great 59 FG%. Chris Paul looked like he was never injured; he managed 19 points and 14 assists. The only player listed on the 76ers injury report is rookie Jaden Springer; he is a game time decision.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers Betting Odds
The Bucks and 76ers split their series 1-1 until this moment, so this game will decide the regular season head-to-head tiebreaker. The Bucks won 118-109 on November 9th behind Giannis’ 31 points and 16 rebounds, but Embiid did not play. The 76ers won 123-120 on February 17th because of Embiid – 42 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists. Giannis had 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, yet they couldn’t secure the victory. In this final matchup of the regular season, I like the Milwaukee Bucks to prevail in a hard-fought game. They are exceptional when their big three are on the court, and they counter the 76ers lineup well. Giannis and Embiid somewhat cancel each other out, and the Bucks supporting cast is more reliable. While both teams have the ability to play elite defense, I expect this game to be a high scoring one. Both teams could drop 120+ points and it wouldn’t faze me in the slightest.
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TV Schedule
Date: 3/29/22
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
Channel: NBA League Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Milwaukee Bucks Analysis
The Bucks have the best option in the NBA to counter Embiid’s size and interior dominance. Giannis is a two-way force who belongs in both the MVP and DPOY discussion. For the season, he is averaging 29.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.4 BPG, and 1.0 SPG on 55 FG%. His athleticism, strength, and length allow him to stonewall Embiid in the paint and disrupt his shot. The Bucks also start 7’0” Brook Lopez, so they have a fearsome interior defense. Because Giannis puts tremendous pressure on the rim (80.6 FG% within 3 feet of the basket), the other Bucks players have an easier time on the perimeter. Jrue Holiday (41.5 3PT%) and Grayson Allen (40.8 3PT%) space the court, and Khris Middleton is an assassin from midrange.
Their defining feature on offense is their ability to be malleable; they can adjust to any opponent and provide an antidote to the opposing lineup. Playing a jumbo team like the Cavaliers? The Bucks could trot out Holiday, Middleton, Portis, Giannis, Lopez and they wouldn’t lose spacing. Playing a team with a deadly small ball lineup? Middleton can play power forward while Giannis will dominate at center. This squad is so dangerous because they legitimately could morph their lineup into the optimal one based on the opponent.
Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineup
PG: James Harden
SG: Tyrese Maxey
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Analysis
The 76ers have to get James Harden going in order to win this game. In 12 March games, he is averaging 21.4 PPG and 9.2 APG on a horrible 38.9 FG% and 30.7 3PT%. He’s still an elite shot creator, but his individual scoring has fallen drastically this season. Unfortunately, he will be guarded by a premier perimeter defender in Jrue Holiday. Harden’s deceptive strength allows him to drive on most guards, but Holiday can cut off Harden and absorb the contact. The 76ers may want to utilize Tyrese Maxey more as a ball handler because Grayson Allen is a mediocre defender. Maxey can lose Allen in the pick and roll for a step back three-pointer or drive to the basket.
Matisse Thybulle will be a key weapon for the 76ers here. Embiid will protect the rim and limit Giannis as best as he can, but the perimeter defense needs work. Khris Middleton is an excellent isolation scorer, so Thybulle needs to eliminate him. He’s a top five option for DPOY because Thybulle has the quickness and anticipation to cause turnovers. If the 76ers can neutralize Middleton, they will have a decent chance to win this crucial game. On the other hand, if Middleton gets rolling, the Bucks will have too many weapons for the 76ers to account for.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers Daily Fantasy Picks
I like Giannis and Embiid in this one. Both players are in the MVP discussion because of their monster numbers. They are matchup proof and should be chosen for fantasy regardless of their price. Both players know how important this game is, and they will want to set the tone just in case they end up playing in the playoffs. Look for both players to absolutely stuff the box score. Tyrese Maxey is a cheaper option who can provide solid production. He has the best matchup of any player, so it’s a matter of whether he can take advantage of that fact. Maxey is an underrated ball handler who can shoot the lights out. If Harden struggles early on, the 76ers may turn to Maxey as the main playmaker.
