Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks: NBA Betting Preview | Oct 26

Philadelphia 76ers (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)

When: Thursday, October 26th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: Fiserv Forum, WI, Milwaukee

TV: TNT

Point Spread: Phi +6.5/Mil -6.5

Total: 226

Money Line: Philadelphia 76ers +196/-242

Notable Injuries

76ers

• James Harden (Out) Personal

Bucks

• Cameron Payne (Questionable) Thigh

Recent Form

Heading into this season, the 76ers are coming off a year in which they achieved a road record of 25-16, a division record of 10-6, an overall record of 54-28, a conference record of 34-18, and a home record of 29-12. Additionally, they maintained a strong performance in various areas of the game.

Philadelphia had a record of 45-37-0 against the over under during the 2022-2023 season. Moreover, they participated in 42 games that exceeded 226 points, while consistently maintaining an average over/under line of 224.4.

A season ago, the Philadelphia 76ers were favored in 55 games, maintaining an average scoring margin of 5.6. Moreover, their record against the spread when favored was 32-22, while as the underdog, their record against the spread was 13-14.

Milwaukee showcased a strong presence both at home and on the road during the 2022-2023 season, achieving a home record of 32-9, a division record of 11-5, an overall record of 58-24, a conference record of 35-17, and a road record of 26-15.

A season ago, the Milwaukee Bucks had a record of 42-39-1 against the over under during the 2022-2023 season. The average over/under line for their games was 227.7, and the average combined scoring was 230.2.

The Bucks, during the 2022-2023 season, attained a 42-35 overall record against the spread. Furthermore, their home record against the spread was 23-17, while their road record against the spread stood at 19-18.

The Historicals

Spanning across the last 5 head-to-head matchups, the 76ers and Bucks have been competitive, with an average margin of victory sitting at just -1 points per game. This has resulted in a 3-2 ATS record for Milwaukee. The over-under record in these same games is 3-2, with the teams combining for an average of 221 points per game.

Analysis

On offense, Philadelphia finished 5th in the NBA with an average of 25.1 free throw attempts per game last season. In terms of possessions, they ranked 28th in the league with an average of 97.1 per game. The team scored an average of 115.2 points per game, placing them 14th in the NBA.

Philadelphia’s defense is coming off a season where the offense had an average of 23.7 free throw attempts allowed per game, placing them 17th in the NBA. The 76ers’ defense allowed a field goal percentage of 47.4, ranking them 14th in the league. Philadelphia concluded the season with an average of 110.9 points allowed per game, ranking them 3rd in the NBA.

Last year, the Milwaukee offense averaged 116.9 points per game, ranking them 8th in the NBA. They had an average of 100.7 possessions per game, placing them 9th in the league. Furthermore, their field goal percentage was 47.3%, positioning them 19th in the NBA.

On defense, the Milwaukee offense boasted the best effective field goal percentage allowed in the league at 52.2% in the previous year. They also ranked 14th lowest in the league, allowing an average of 113.3 points per game. Furthermore, they ranked 11th in the league with an average of 4.9 blocked shots per game.

Betting Trends

• In their last three games away from home, the 76ers have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 96 points per game in these contests.
• In their last three games at home, the Bucks have a straight up record of 0-3 while going 0-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 106 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the 76ers have a straight up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 2-3.
• As the betting favorite, the Bucks have an ATS mark of just 1-4 in their last five games. Milwaukee posted a straight up mark of 1-4 in these matchups.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Even though I see the Bucks winning this one, I actually think the Sixers will be just fine without James Harden and make this game competitive. I expect the Damian Lillard era in Milwaukee to start with a win, but for the Sixers to cover.