The Philadelphia 76ers were among the teams expected to challenge the Milwaukee Bucks for supremacy in the Eastern Conference this season. Instead, injuries and inconsistent play have Philadelphia a whopping 12.5 games back of first-place Bucks heading into their next matchup. The 76ers will visit the league-leading Bucks for their second of four regular season matchups on Thursday night. Milwaukee, which lost the first meeting between these teams 121-109 on Christmas Day, is coming off back-to-back wins following just its seventh loss of the season. Can they get revenge on the 76ers or will Philadelphia be a thorn in their side again?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Philadelphia has dropped three in a row and four of its last six heading into this matchup. Overall, the 76ers are just 9-18 on the road both against the spread and straight up, which is a big reason why they are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are 1-7 ATS when on the road with a total of 220 or higher.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee has won 11 of its last 12 at home and is a league-best 23-3 at the Fiserv Forum this season. The Bucks have thrived on Eastern Conference opponents with a 26-3 record. Milwaukee is 16-2 in its last 18 games overall dating back to December 27^th. However, they are just 9-6 SU and 6-9 ATS against teams with a winning record.

Philadelphia 76ers

The combination of the Bucks’ dominance and Philadelphia’s terrible road record makes it tough to trust the 76ers in this spot. Philadelphia is coming off three straight road losses to the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. Every single one of those losses was by double digits, including a painful 21-point loss to Miami in their last outing. Joel Embiid had 39 points in that game, but his teammates completely fell apart around him. Tobias Harris had just six points on 3-of-12 from the field. Al Horford had six points on 2-of-5 shooting. Even Raul Neto went 0-for-5 and didn’t register a point in eight minutes of action.

Philadelphia has a lot more talent than it showed in that loss. However, it isn’t like they are in an obvious bounce back situation here as they wrap up a four-game road trip in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Bucks

While the 76ers continue to underachieve, the Bucks are firing on all cylinders heading into this matchup. Milwaukee is coming off a 12-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans in which Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 17 rebounds. Khris Middleton chipped in with 29 points, while Eric Bledsoe had 16. The Bucks could have still used a better performance from their bench in that game, which combined to go just 8-of-26 from the field. However, the fact that they were able to beat the Pelicans by 12 despite those awful shooting numbers helps demonstrate just how deep and talented this team is.

Keep an eye on the trade deadline, which is on Thursday, as that could impact this line. Although the Bucks are mostly expected to stand pat, the 76ers are looking at number of moves to try and change their momentum.

Who Will Win 76ers vs. Bucks?

Injuries

Philadelphia

Tobias Harris (SF)

day-to-day Head - 23 / 08 / 20

Alec Burks (SG)

Ques Fri Foot - 12 / 08 / 20

Glenn Robinson III (SF)

Early Sept Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20

Tobias Harris (SF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20

Al Horford (C)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Josh Richardson (SG)

Out Tues Rest - 10 / 08 / 20

Furkan Korkmaz (SG)

Ques Sun Finger - 08 / 08 / 20

Kyle O'Quinn (C)

Prob Wed Personal - 03 / 08 / 20

Raul Neto (PG)

Prob Sat Back - 26 / 07 / 20

Glenn Robinson III (SF)

Prob Sun Hip - 26 / 07 / 20

Milwaukee

Eric Bledsoe (PG)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20

George Hill (PG)

Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20

George Hill (PG)

Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20

George Hill (PG)

Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20

Ersan Ilyasova (PF)

Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20

Eric Bledsoe (PG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20

Donte DiVincenzo (SG)

Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20

Wesley Matthews (SG)

Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20

Wesley Matthews (SG)

Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20

Injuries

Philadelphia

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tobias Harris (SF)	day-to-day	Head - 23 / 08 / 20	0-1	0-1	+ -
Harris left Sunday's game due to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Alec Burks (SG)	Ques Fri	Foot - 12 / 08 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Burks was held out of the previous game due to left foot soreness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the court versus the Rockets on Frdiay.
Glenn Robinson III (SF)	Early Sept	Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Robinson III is battling an oblique muscle strain, and he is likely to be out until at least the beginning of September.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Harris sat out the last game due to a sore right ankle, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Horford missed the previous game with a sore left knee, but it is likely that he will be available Wednesday versus the Raptors.
Josh Richardson (SG)	Out Tues	Rest - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Richardson will not suit up Tuesday against the Suns due to a day of rest.
Furkan Korkmaz (SG)	Ques Sun	Finger - 08 / 08 / 20	3-5	4-4	+ -
Korkmaz is bothered by a left finger sprain, and his status for Sunday's matchup with the Trail Blazers in unknown.
Kyle O'Quinn (C)	Prob Wed	Personal - 03 / 08 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
O'Quinn was held out of the last game after missing a COVID-19 test. It is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday's matchup with the Wizards.
Raul Neto (PG)	Prob Sat	Back - 26 / 07 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
Neto is experiencing tightness in his lower back, but it is unlikely to impede his status for Saturday's tilt versus the Pacers.
Glenn Robinson III (SF)	Prob Sun	Hip - 26 / 07 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
Robinson III has missed the previous four games due to a left hip pointer, but he is expected to return to action Sunday against the Trail Blazers.

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Eric Bledsoe (PG)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20	1-3	2-3	+ -
Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat.
George Hill (PG)	Prob Mon	Finger - 30 / 08 / 20	1-3	2-3	+ -
Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury.
George Hill (PG)	Prob Mon	Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20	3-3	4-3	+ -
Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
George Hill (PG)	Out Thurs	Rest - 13 / 08 / 20	5-5	6-5	+ -
Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)	Ques Sat	Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Eric Bledsoe (PG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 11 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)	Prob Thurs	Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Wesley Matthews (SG)	Prob Tues	Groin - 11 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 04 / 08 / 20	6-9	9-7	+ -
Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday.
Wesley Matthews (SG)	Ques Thurs	Calf - 03 / 08 / 20	7-9	10-7	+ -
Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat.