The Philadelphia 76ers (34-23) visit Cream City Thursday to play the Milwaukee Bucks (36-23). Tip-off at the Fiserv Forum is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the 76ers vs. Bucks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Philly got destroyed 135-87 at home by the Boston Celtics Tuesday. The Sixers are 3-3 straight up (SU) and 2-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last six games.
Milwaukee snapped a 2-game losing skid by beating the Indiana Pacers 128-119 but failed to cover as a 14-point home favorite. The Bucks are 4-2 SU and 3-3 ATS since Feb. 5.
The Bucks defeated the Sixers 118-109 in Philly Nov. 9 as 7-point underdogs and the Over (215) cashed.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA February 17 breakdown
76ers at Bucks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: 76ers +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Bucks -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread: 76ers +6.5 (-110) | Bucks -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 222.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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76ers at Bucks key injuries
76ers
- SG James Harden (hamstring) out
Bucks
- SG Grayson Allen (hip) doubtful
- SG Pat Connaughton (hand) out
- PG George Hill (neck) out
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76ers at Bucks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 123, 76ers 110
Money line
PASS.
Even though I like Milwaukee in this spot, the Bucks (-280) are just too expensive considering the 76ers (+220) have an MVP candidate that could dominate Milwaukee’s small interior.
Sixers C Joel Embiid has been a force since the start of 2022 and the Bucks are without C Brook Lopez for the foreseeable future. If Embiid is on his A-game, then he could wreak havoc in the paint.
Against the spread
I’ll BET the BUCKS -6.5 (-110) for 1 unit based on my interpretation of the line and betting splits.
What I mean by that is the 76ers’ +6.5 is a shockingly high spread considering how good Philly has been.
Also, nearly 75% of the cash wagered is on the Sixers (according to Pregame.com) but the Bucks have been increased from a 6-point favorite despite the market being pro-Philly.
My first reaction upon seeing the 76ers +6.5 was to take the points, but it kind of feels like the oddsmakers are laying a trap.
Most of the season-long trends point to the Sixers, but the Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings with Philly.
BET the BUCKS -6.5 (-110).
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 222.5 (-108). The Bucks should have success when they speed up the tempo, and a strong performance out of Embiid will get wide-open looks for Philly’s 3-point shooters.
Milwaukee gets out in transition at the second-highest frequency in the Association and Philly has the sixth-worst defensive efficiency versus fast-break offense.
Finally, the Bucks have scored at least 118 points in their last games against the Sixers and a majority of the market is betting the Under 222.5, per Pregame.com.
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