It’s an all-time classic Eastern Conference rivalry as the Philadelphia 76ers host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. got the best out of Joel Embiid and the Sixers last season, who prevails in the season opener this time around?
The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks meet on 23.10.2024, in the first of three regular season meetings. The game will be played at Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia) with the home team 76ers favored at 1.86 odds to start the season with a victory.
Philadelphia 76ers |
Tue, 23.10.2024, 19:30 |
Milwaukee Bucks |
1 |
x |
2 |
1.86 |
13.00 |
2.24 |
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks: Current situation
Philadelphia finished last season 47-35, only to lose to the New York Knicks in an epic 1st Round 7-game series. Reinforcements are here for the new season with Paul George signing through free agency, but also other notable role players. The biggest concern for Philadelphia heading into the season as well as Wednesday’s game is the health of Joel Embiid. Both he and PG13 are listed as game time decisions, so the 76ers might be shorthanded in this one.
It was a sub-par season for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023-24 as they finished with just 49 wins and 33 losses, way below their standards. Just like with Philadelphia, injuries could determine the direction in which this franchise goes this year, but also beyond. No major moves were done in the offseason, but with a full training camp under Doc Rivers for their two superstars Greek Freak and Damian Lillard, the Bucks could be primed for another 50+ win season.
Philadelphia 76ers Stats & Form
A lot of experimenting was done in the preseason by head coach Nick Nurse as he tried out a variety of rotations in the 6 games played. Philly finished with a 3-3 record, but what is concerning is that the team finished dead last among NBA teams in assists per game during that stretch. This team could be a work in progress for the first couple of weeks of the new season, as all the new pieces try to fit together.
Milwaukee Bucks Stats & Form
Milwaukee played in only 4 preseason games, going just 1-3 SU. Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis were all in and out of the line-up, dealing with various knocks to start the new year. All 3 of those players are listed as game time decisions, but according to the latest reports they should be ready to go on Wednesday.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks: Head to Head
Being in the same Conference means that we get at least 3 and sometimes even 4 regular season meetings between these two teams. The Bucks lead the all-time head-to-head record with 121 wins to 105. Last season Milwaukee swept the 3 games played vs Philadelphia, including the season opener in which the two teams met. Philadelphia has not beaten Milwaukee in a regular season game since the 2022-23 season.
Philadelphia 76ers – Milwaukee Bucks Odds
If you fancy the Philadelphia 76ers to get a victory on Wednesday night, Betswap is offering 1.86 odds.. For a Milwaukee Bucks road victory you can get 2.24 odds, while for a tie at the end of regulation Betswap is offering massive odds of 13.00.
Top 3 Betting Odds
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks Betting Tip | Odds |
Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 Point Spread | 1.95 |
Milwaukee Bucks +2.5 Point Spread | 1.89 |
Over 220.5 Total Points | 1.58 |
Betting tip and prediction: Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks (23.10.2024)
Coincidentally this match-up was also the season opener for both teams last year, judging by that game we could be in a for a fast paced, offense oriented clash on Wednesday night. Milwaukee was able to pull off the victory with a final result of 118-117 on that day, behind a strong outing from Damian Lillard who finished with 39 points. Tyrese Maxey also had a big game for Philadelphia with 31, I am expecting more of the same from him in this one if either one of Joel Embiid and Paul George isn’t able to go. The Bucks in particular did not excel with their defensive effort last season, allowing the 9th highest total of points at 116.1 per game. Pace of play contributes heavily towards the point total, Milwaukee should continue to run and gun this year as their roster is constructed to play that way. I’m expecting a highly entertaining game at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday, so let’s back the points.