Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers Preview (11/18/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds
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Two MVP front-runners collide on Friday night when the Milwaukee Bucks travel to Philadelphia to take on the Sixers. Take a look at the preview for this game below, as it covers pertinent information on key matchups, injury reports for both teams, and current betting odds!
Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Odds
The short-handed Milwaukee Bucks are two-point road dogs against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. Milwaukee’s list of injuries continues to pile as Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and Joe Ingles will miss this contest. Wesley Matthews and Grayson Allen are questionable, and we may not know their availability until closer to game time. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is still without star guard James Harden, while Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz are listed as questionable.
Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction
Milwaukee may be the better team when fully healthy, but it will be without two of its three best players again in this game. The Bucks also miss significant added depth in Pat Connaughton, Joe Ingles, and possibly Grayson Allen and Wesley Matthews.
The Bucks will play hard on the defensive end, but chemistry and shot-making issues on offense will be difficult to overcome here. With P.J. Tucker shadowing Giannis all over the floor and Embiid and Thybulle helping on the perimeter and in the paint, respectively, I don’t see Antetokounmpo getting many clean looks.
Giannis will be forced to pass more than he would like to, and unless Milwaukee snaps out of its offensive slump, the result could be a loss. Joel Embiid is coming off an inhumane 59/11/8 game and should play with all the confidence in the world. Even though Brook Lopez is a solid defender in the paint, Embiid’s ability to stretch the floor and shoot from deep will be problematic. I will go with the Sixers against the spread here.
Betting Trends
- Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS on the road in 2022-23
- Philadelphia is 4-4 ATS at home in 2022-23
- The combined over record of these two teams is 11-17 in 2022-23
Key Matchups
The key matchup in this one goes to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid, two of the top five MVP favorites for the 2022-23 season. See the analysis for this matchup below and which player will have the advantage for this game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Joel Embiid
Earlier this season, the Bucks edged out the Sixers in a closely fought battle that ended 90-88. It was undoubtedly a low-scoring affair. Giannis and Embiid combined for 36 points in what will likely be the lowest combined point total for these two players in a matchup for many years.
Historically, Giannis has posted outrageous numbers against Philly, averaging 34.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in three games against the Sixers last season. However, in the first game between these two teams this season, it was hard not to notice the visible difference that P.J. Tucker’s defense made on Giannis; he didn’t seem to enjoy the physicality, which is ironic because he usually loves it.
Still, Embiid doesn’t have an easy matchup either, as Brook Lopez will be on him. Lopez is almost as massive as Embiid. Regardless, I believe that Embiid has the advantage in this game due to his ability to stretch the floor and take Lopez off the dribble. Advantage: Embiid.
Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup
PG: Jevon Carter
SG: MarJon Beauchamp
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
PF: Bobby Portis
C: Brook Lopez
Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineups
PG: Tyrese Maxey
SG: Matisse Thybulle
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: P.J. Tucker
C: Joel Embiid
Key Injuries
Milwaukee Bucks Injuries: Joe Ingles (Out), Wesley Matthews (Q), Khris Middleton (Out), Grayson Allen (Q), Pat Connaughton (Out), Jrue Holiday (Out)
Philadelphia 76ers Injuries: James Harden (Out), Matisse Thybulle (Q), Furkan Korkmaz (Q)