The Philadelphia 76ers (40-22) and Milwaukee Bucks (45-17) meet Saturday at Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC).
The 76ers failed to cover the spread as 3-point underdogs Thursday with a 133-126 loss at the Dallas Mavericks. G James Harden scored a team-high 35 points for the 76ers, who have lost 3 of their last 4 games. Philadelphia is 5-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 7 games after allowing 100 or more points in its previous contest.
The Bucks covered as 8.5-point home favorites Wednesday with a 139-117 win vs. the Orlando Magic. Milwaukee hit a season-high 26 three-pointers as it extended the NBA’s longest winning streak this season to 16 games. The Bucks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. teams with a winning percentage above .600.
The season series is tied 1-1 and the Under has hit in both matchups. Philadelphia covered as a 1-point home underdog with a 110-102 win as the Under (212.5) cashed in the most recent meeting Nov. 18.
76ers at Bucks odds
- Moneyline (ML): 76ers +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Bucks -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers +4.5 (-105) | Bucks -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
76ers at Bucks key injuries
76ers
- None
Bucks
- None
76ers at Bucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 111, 76ers 110
Moneyline
PASS.
The Bucks (-190) should win, but the price on their moneyline is a little high. Bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET 76ERS +4.5 (-105).
Philadelphia cut a 25-point 3rd quarter deficit to just 4 points last time out, before eventually blowing the comeback opportunity in the 4th quarter. The 76ers should be motivated to bounce back after that tough loss at the Mavericks and should be able to keep it close vs. a Bucks team that has played below expectation against elite competition lately.
While Milwaukee has the 2nd-best home record this season at 27-5 straight up, the Bucks are just 5-17-1 ATS in their last 23 home games vs. teams with a winning record on the road. It doesn’t help Milwaukee’s case when you factor in that Philadelphia is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 road games vs. teams with a winning record at home. Look for the 76ers to come out much more focused Saturday and potentially put an end to the league-leading Bucks’ 16-game win streak.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 231.5 (-110).
The Under is 4-1 in Philadelphia’s last 5 games and 4-0 in the 76ers’ last 4 after allowing 100 or more points in their previous contest. The Under has hit in Milwaukee’s last 4 games after scoring more than 125 points last time out and Saturday’s playoff-like atmosphere should lead to another low-scoring meeting between these teams.