The Milwaukee Bucks have not looked right since the start of the season, but they have a chance to show why they are still a force to reckon with at least in the Eastern Conference this Wednesday, as they pay the Philadelphia 76ers a visit.
Catch this game live on Wednesday, November 10, at 8:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Milwaukee Bucks (4-6/3-2 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: George Hill
- SF: Grayson Allen
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Bobby Portis
It is still too early to sound the alarm on the Bucks, but it still feels weird that the defending champions are struggling to collect wins. But Giannis Antetokounmpo could only do so much without some of the key members of Milwaukee’s 2021-22 NBA season championship team. The good news for them is that Jrue Holiday is back after spending multiple games on the sidelines with an ankle problem. Holiday’s return hasn’t resulted in success for the Bucks, though. Milwaukee has gone 0-2 in his first two games since returning to action.
Holiday scored 14 points to go with five rebounds and four assists in Milwaukee’s 101-94 road loss to the Washington Wizards on the road last Monday. Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, paced the Bucks with 29 points and 18 rebounds. Khris Middleton is still out due to COVID-19, but Grayson Allen has stepped up for the team. The former Duke Blue Devils star has averaged 16.8 points on 47.8 FG% and 48.5 3FG% in the last three Bucks games. Milwaukee is 4-1 against the spread in its last five trips to Philly.
Home: Philadelphia 76ers (8-3/4-2 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Tyrese Maxey
- SG: Seth Curry
- SF: Furkan Korkmaz
- PF: Danny Green
- C: Andre Drummond
The Sixers can totally relate to the injury problems of Milwaukee. The Sixers, who saw their six-game winning streak come to an end in a 103-96 home loss to the New York Knicks Tuesday, were without Matisse Thybulle and Joel Embiid. Thybulle missed the Knicks game for health and safety protocols reasons, while Embiid was on a planned rest. Thybulle can be considered questionable for the match against Milwaukee, while Embiid is not expected to play after entering the health and safety protocols, as well. And then there’s Tobias Harris, who’s not played since last week for the same reason.
With these developments, Tyrese Maxey, Seth Curry, and Furkan Korkmaz are all forced to expand their roles, especially on offense. Andre Drummond has also stepped up to cover for Embiid. He had 14 points and 25 rebounds in a spot start against the Knicks. His rebounding will be crucial for Philly, especially on the offensive end. The Sixers, who are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall, are second in the NBA in adjusted offensive rating.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: Both teams are missing key players, but the Bucks have their unicorn active.
Take Giannis and the Bucks to cover (-6).
Over/Under: Not having Embiid hurts the Sixers’ ability to get plenty of freebies at the charity stripe. Take the Under (222.5).
