Bucks vs 76ers Betting Line Preview: Titans of the East Meet on ESPN

NBA Odds Forecast Close, Defensive Game

The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers rematch from their season opener. Milwaukee won in what was an early 2000s-style of a game at 90-88. These are two of the NBA’s best defenses and the Bucks vs 76ers betting line features another low total of 219, which is the second-lowest this Friday. Milwaukee is favored by two on the moneyline as Philadelphia looks to even the season series with several star players out of action.

Game Information

Bucks are Powerful Despite Injuries

The Bucks were the only unbeaten NBA team at some point. But thanks to injuries, Milwaukee has had a rough stretch recently with three blowout losses and a double-overtime win sandwiched in there. Jrue Holiday (ankle) remains on the NBA injury report today. The return of Giannis Antetokounmpo makes Milwaukee better and they bounced back in a win over Cleveland.

Milwaukee is one of the best teams to bet on the spread per the NBA betting trends. This team is 10-4-0 against the spread (ATS) with a 75 percent cover rate as the favorite (9-3-0). That’s impressive considering the team is missing at least four rotational players including Khris Middleton (wrist) and Pat Connaughton (calf). A key factor would be their defense.

Mike Budenholzer’s squad has consistently been a prolific team on defense. This season, the Bucks are top in the NBA with a 104.9 defensive rating. They are the best at rebounding the ball (53 percent rebound rate) and allow the lowest effective field goal rate from their opponents (50 percent).

“I’ve been a part of a team like that,” Antetokounmpo recalled in a media interview earlier this month. “The 2019-2020 team [where] we were a team that scored a lot of points and we beat everybody by 12-13-15 points on average.”

Milwaukee is doing it by “evolving” its defense. The Bucks are employing “drop” coverage in today’s NBA. The results have been excellent as the team has minimized its opponents’ attempts at the rim (18.9 percent). And the Bucks are a large NBA team that features players who can chase opponents away from three-point lines and into tough mid-range shots. It’s been an effective exercise and why the Bucks vs 76ers betting line favors the 2021 NBA Champions.

Philadelphia Needs Help From the Back

Like the Bucks, Philadelphia is dealing with a few injuries itself. Most notably, James Harden has missed the Sixers’ last five games and is expected to miss a few more weeks. The former MVP was averaging 22 points and a team-leading 10 assists per game. He was in shape and appeared headed for a comeback season. In his absence, Philadelphia is an underdog on the Bucks vs 76ers betting line again.

Since Harden’s injury, the Sixers have gone 3-2 on both the spread and moneyline. Philadelphia is also utilizing its workmanlike defense to win games with its offense still on and off. The Sixers are fourth in the league in defensive rating (109.4) and they are in the top seven in limiting effective field goal rate (52.2 percent) and turnover percentage (13.8 percent).

The former Grizzly is tied with Joel Embiid in defensive rating (107) and averages 2.3 steals per 36 minutes, second on the team.

Philadelphia can thank De’Anthony Melton for stepping up from the backend. The former Grizzly is tied with Joel Embiid in defensive rating (107) and averages 2.3 steals per 36 minutes, second on the team. His defense is part of the reason why Philadelphia has given up the fewest fantasy points against opposing point guards.

But as good as Melton has been defensively, he and the Sixers leave much to be desired with offense on the backcourt. If you exclude Tyrese Maxey’s 22.8 points per game, the Sixers’ guards are contributing a total of 17 points. Matisse Thybulle is still a liability on offense while Furkan Korkmaz can’t stay healthy.

Thankfully, the Sixers have one of the most potent frontcourt in terms of two-way play. Embiid is still an MVP candidate and averaging a career-high 32.3 points while Tobias Harris is also enjoying a bounce-back year. As long as they’re playing at a high level, Philadelphia can be a sharp bet on the Bucks vs 76ers betting line.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Suns vs Heat Betting Odds: It Could Get Sweaty in the FTX Arena
• Timberwolves vs Grizzlies Odds: Wolves Put up Fight Against Memphis
• Thunder vs Celtics Betting Preview: Can Boston Make it Seven Straight?
• Nuggets vs Celtics Odds and Spreads: Target the Total
• 76ers vs Hawks Betting Trends: Pace Slows Down in ATL