The Bucks are on the road to face the Philadelphia 76ers, with both team’s playing their first-game of the season. Tip-off for this season-opener, is set for 7:30 at Wells Fargo Center.
Bucks vs 76ers
The Bucks Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win
The Bucks enter the season ranked 8th in our power rankings, with a 92.7% chance of making the playoffs and a 35.1% chance of winning the Central Division. Last season, Milwaukee finished 49-33, placing 3rd in the Eastern Conference. They went 31-11 at home and 18-22 on the road, finishing 1st in their division with a 10-7 record.
Milwaukee was favored in 67 games last season, going 45-22 in those matchups. They had a 29-38 record against the spread when favored. The Bucks’ games averaged 235.3 points, with an average O/U line of 234.3 points. They finished the season with an O/U record of 41-41.
The 76ers Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win
Philadelphia enters the season ranked 3rd in our power rankings, with a 97.9% chance of making the playoffs and a 10.8% chance of winning their division. Last season, the 76ers finished 47-35, placing 3rd in their division and 7th in the Eastern Conference. They were 25-16 at home and 22-19 on the road.
Against the spread, the 76ers went 43-39, including a 34-17 record when favored. They were favored in 51 games, going 38-13 straight-up. Their games averaged 226.1 points, with an O/U record of 42-40.
Bucks Offense Breakdown
Milwaukee enters the season ranked 3rd in our offensive power rankings after finishing last season 4th in points per game (119.0). The Bucks were 6th in possessions per game (99.9) and 8th in field goal percentage (48.7%), despite ranking 19th in field goal attempts per game (88.5). They were 5th in both three-pointers made (14.2) and attempted (38.1) per game, shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc (11th). Milwaukee also ranked 3rd in free throw attempts per game (23.9) but was 19th in free throw percentage (77.4%) and 24th in offensive rebounds per game (9.4).
Giannis Antetokounmpo is projected to lead the Bucks in scoring, ranking 3rd in our league-wide projections. Damian Lillard is projected 15th in scoring and 8th in three-pointers made. Gary Trent Jr. is projected 3rd on the team in scoring and 2nd in three-pointers made. Khris Middleton, who is currently out, is projected 4th in scoring for Milwaukee, while Brook Lopez is projected 3rd in three-pointers made.
76ers Offense Breakdown
Philadelphia enters the season ranked 5th in our offensive power rankings after finishing 15th in points per game (114.6) last season. The 76ers were 18th in possessions per game (97.3) and 14th in field goal attempts (89.4), shooting 46.4% from the field (23rd). They were 22nd in made threes per game (12.1) and 18th in three-point percentage (36.3%). Philadelphia excelled at the free-throw line, ranking 4th in attempts (23.6) and 2nd in free-throw percentage (82.6%).
Joel Embiid is out for the season opener, but he’s projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 9th in our league-wide projections. Tyrese Maxey, who averaged 25.9 PPG last season, is projected to be 22nd in scoring and 18th in made threes. Paul George, acquired from the Clippers, is also out for the opener. He’s projected to be 32nd in scoring and 18th in made threes. Kelly Oubre Jr. is projected to be 4th on the team in scoring, with Eric Gordon 3rd in made threes.
Bucks Team Defense
Milwaukee enters the season ranked 14th in our defensive power rankings, after finishing 21st in points allowed last year, giving up 116.4 per game. They held opponents to 47.1% shooting, which ranked 13th in the NBA, and were 8th in three-point defense, allowing 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the league’s top rebounders, is expected to play, and the Bucks finished 3rd in defensive rebounding last year. They also averaged 5.0 blocks per game, ranking 16th in the NBA, with Brook Lopez projected as one of the league’s top shot-blockers. Milwaukee was 26th in steals, averaging 6.8 per game.
76ers Team Defense
Milwaukee enters the season ranked 14th in our defensive power rankings, after allowing 116.4 points per game last year, which was 21st in the NBA. They held opponents to 47.1% shooting from the field, ranking 13th, and were 8th in three-point defense, allowing 35.5% shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the league’s top rebounders, is expected to play, and Brook Lopez, one of the NBA’s best shot-blockers, adds to their defensive presence. Milwaukee ranked 3rd in defensive rebounding and 16th in blocked shots last season.
Opponents shot 54.1% on two-pointers against the Bucks last year, ranking them 10th in the NBA, and they were 11th in effective field-goal percentage allowed. Milwaukee averaged 6.8 steals per game, which was 26th in the league.
Bucks vs 76ers Trends
- Although Milwaukee has a straight up record of 1-9 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 3-7. The team averaged 107 points per game in these games.
- Through their last ten home games, Philadelphia has an ATS record of just 8-2. However, their overall record was 6-4 while averaging 114 points per game.
- In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the 76ers have a straight up record of 3-7 and an ATS mark of 7-3.
- In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Bucks have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 1-4.
Bucks vs 76ers Prediction
We’re putting our money on the Bucks to win, and have the projected score sitting at 152-99. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Bucks at -3.5.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 223.5 and our model has the Bucks and 76ers finishing with a combined 251 points. Our pick is to take the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:October 23, 2024 76ers, Bucks