Bucks vs 76ers Odds, Predictions & Picks (Oct. 20)
- Philadelphia is a 4-point favorite in the Bucks vs 76ers odds on Thursday (Oct. 20) at 7:30 pm ET
- Khris Middleton (wrist) is out for Milwaukee
- See the Bucks vs 76ers predictions for Thursday’s game
One of the last teams to make their NBA season debut just happens to be one of the title favorites. That of course is the 2021 champion Milwaukee Bucks, who’ll play their first game of 2022-23 in Philadelphia.
The 76ers (0-1, 0-0 home) dropped their season opener on Tuesday in Boston, but still opened up as the home chalk in the NBA odds.
Bucks vs 76ers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +4 (-115) | +150 | O 225 (-110) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -4 (-105) | -175 | U 225 (-110) |
Odds as of October 19 at Barstool Sportsbook. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Bucks vs 76ers game.
Philadelphia is currently a 4-point favorite, after opening at -3. The betting handle is essentially a 50-50 split, with the Sixers action coming from big money bettors. 48% of the spread money on Philly is currently coming from just 31% of the ATS tickets.
Total wise, the matchup features a 225-point over/under, while tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET at Wells Fargo Center, in Philadelphia, PA.
This will be Game 1 of a TNT double-header, with the Lakers and Clippers clashing in the night cap.
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Milwaukee Bucks Betting Analysis
When Milwaukee’s big three is on the court, there might not be a better team in basketball. The Bucks are 86-34 over the past two seasons, including playoffs, when Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday all suit up, but just 34-35 when one of them sits.
Milwaukee lost Middleton to a knee injury in round one of last year’s postseason, but even without him they still held a 3-2 series lead over Boston in round two, before falling in seven games.
Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton is expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season as he rehabs from offseason wrist surgery, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Middleton said at Media Day that he did not expect to play in the season opener this week.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2022
Giannis and Holiday have played 18 games together over the last two years without Middleton, and own an 11-7 record. Middleton’s fully recovered from offseason knee surgery, but won’t be available for the first few games of the new season due to a wrist issue.
That will put more of the offensive workload on Antetokounmpo, who’s more than capable of handling it. A top-three contender in the NBA MVP odds, Giannis finished second in points per game and PER, while helping the Bucks to the third best offensive rating.
“Do I believe I’m the best player in the world? No,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said.
“I think the best player in the world is the person that is the last one standing, is the person that takes his team to the final, to the finish line and helps them win the game." #FearTheDeer
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) October 19, 2022
Defensively, Antetokounmpo is also a force, while Holiday is a perennial DPOY candidate. Milwaukee ranked 14th in defensive rating, and 11th in opponent field goal percentage.
Elsewhere on the injury front, guard Pat Connaughton, who often fills in for Middleton, is also out with a calf injury.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Analysis
The Sixers enter play fresh off a sound beating at the hands of the Celtics. Philly fell 126-117 on the road versus the reigning Eastern Conference champions, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score might suggest.
The 76ers surrendered 35 points a piece to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and were frustrated by the Celtics small line-up. Philly committed 14 turnovers that led to 22 points, while they were outscored 24-2 on fast break points.
On the plus-side, James Harden looked like his old self after a down season in 2021-22. Harden poured in 35 points, including five three’s, his highest total since joining the 76ers last winter.
James Harden vs. #1 defense in NBA:
35 PTS
64% FG
56% 3PT (5 3PTM)
8 AST
8 REBWelcome back king 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/eOnb5KQVPI
— Sai (@LeGoatedOne) October 19, 2022
Joel Embiid added 26 points and 15 boards, while Tyrese Maxey splashed 21 points. The team shot 50% from the floor, but had no answers on defense. They yielded a 56% field goal percentage to Boston, losing the rebounding, assist, turnover and points in the paint battle along the way.
Bucks vs 76ers Prediction
The struggles on defense are a bit surprising for the 76ers given the offseason moves they made. Philly brought in P.J. Tucker, De’anthony Melton and Danuel House Jr to bolster than end of the floor, but the three were a combined -24 over 70 total minutes.
Boston boasts a strong offense, but Milwaukee’s was even better last year, and could give the 76ers just as much trouble. The Bucks ranked second in true shooting percentage a season ago, while Antetokounmpo absolutely dominated in their three matchups. Giannis averaged 34.3 points per outing, with 14 boards, 6 assists, 2 blocks and a 1.3 assists.
Be hungry. Compete. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/IvGNIdMPea
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 19, 2022
Not surprisingly, Milwaukee won two of those three meetings including both in Philadelphia. I wouldn’t fault anyone for betting the Bucks straight-up, but I’ll choose a more conservative route and take the 4 points.
Pick: Milwaukee Bucks +4 (-115)
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As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
