Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction, NBA Odds
The Sixers are coming off consecutive home wins over Dallas and Toronto to remain just four games back of the Bucks with just five games remaining in the regular season, but also currently ride a three-game losing streak on the road. The Bucks are coming off a crushing 140-99 loss to the archrival Boston Celtics in their last outing on Thursday night, and have now lost two of four both overall and on home hardwood.
The Bucks have strengthened to 5-point favourites since opening as 4.5-point chalk, and the total has vaulted to 236.5 since opening at 233.5.
76ers vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds
Sunday night’s matchup at Fiserv Forum marks the fourth and final regular season meeting between these Eastern Conference rivals. The Sixers have claimed victory in their two most recent head-to-head clashes, capped by a narrow 133-130 win in Milwaukee on March 4, but have not won three in a row over the Bucks in 47 overall dates since 2009. With last month’s high-scoring contest, the OVER has now paid out in four of six meetings between these clubs, and in three of four in Milwaukee.
Philadelphia 76ers
With the Sixers posting two straight wins and Cleveland losing two straight, Philadelphia has placed a stranglehold on third place in the East, 3.5 games up on the Cavaliers with just five to go. However, the club needs a win on Sunday to stay in the hunt for first place in the conference, which should bring a little extra urgency to things for a team that has lost four of their past seven overall. The Sixers turned in a dominating performance in Thursday’s win over the Raptors. On the strength of a 46-point second quarter, the club sized a 20-point lead at the half, and never looked back. Joel Embiid looks to have healed from a calf injury that hobbled him early in the week, and strengthened his case to be considered the NBA MVP betting favourite with a 25-point, 12-rebound performance, and has now averaged 31 points and 10 boards per game over his past four outings. James Harden also snapped out of a three-game funk, dropping 23 points on the raptors to go along with 11 assists, ending a three-game span in which he averaged just 10.3 points per game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Expect it to be a surly Bucks squad that takes the floor on Sunday in the wake of Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Celtics. The loss was the worst defeat they have suffered on home court this season, with the 140 points scored by Boston representing the most points they have allowed on home court since 2008. It should also rouse this team from a slumber that has left them winless against the straight in their past four overall, and covering just once in their past six home dates. Bucks shooters hit just 38-of-101 from the field, and eventually elected to limit the minutes of their starters once things got out of hand. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to remain productive, tallying 24 points and seven boards. However, it was another down night for Jrue Holiday, who recorded just six points on 2-for-8 shooting, and has now scored in the single digits in three of five outings, a run that also features a 51-point performance in Wednesday’s 149-136 win over Indiana.
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