The Milwaukee Bucks play host to their Eastern Conference rival Philadelphia 76ers, who halted their NBA season-high 18-game winning streak the last time they faced and also lead the season series, 2-1. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company should be hungry for revenge.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Milwaukee Bucks (55-22, 30-8 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Jrue Holiday
  • Grayson Allen
  • Khris Middleton
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Brook Lopez

We should see a determined Bucks team tomorrow. Not only should they be pissed at their streak-snapping loss to the Sixers last month, they should also be amped to redeem themselves from Friday’s embarrassing defeat. They were unexpectedly demolished by the Boston Celtics, 140-99, in their lowest scoring output in more than two months.

The good thing is it can’t get any worse than that, so expect an angry Giannis Antetokounmpo taking the court. The Greek Freak is averaging 26.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in three games against the Sixers this season. His partner in the paint, Brook Lopez, is also doing well in the head-to-head, posting 19.3 points, 2.3 blocks, and 3.0 threes, also in three games. Jrue Holiday is okay at best in the series, with 14 PPG on a tepid 40% clip, so it’s high time he gets it done. Lastly, Khris Middleton – this is only his second game opposite Philly this season. He was 2-for-8 for six points in 27 minutes in his lone game facing the Sixers.

The Bucks are averaging 107.3 PPG in the series.

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AWAY: Philadelphia 76ers (51-26, 23-15 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • James Harden
  • Tyrese Maxey
  • DeAnthony Melton
  • PJ Tucker
  • Joel Embiid

The Sixers are now winners of back-to-back after previously losing thrice in four games. Both victories were nice too – they rallied back from a 12-point deficit vs. the Dallas Mavericks, while vs. the Toronto Raptors, they used a 46-point second quarter to control the pace and win the game.

The usual suspects are headlining the Sixers’ 2-1 season series lead against the Bucks. There’s a little surprise, though, as it’s mostly James Harden and not Joel Embiid. The former has 34.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 1.5 steals facing the Bucks this season, while the latter has 26.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks. Both, however, starred in that marquee, 133-130 win in Milwaukee in early March, as they each recorded 30-plus points with 10 dimes.

Not to be outdone, third option Tyrese Maxey is smooth as ever gliding on the Bucks’ defense. In three games, he’s netting 21.7 points on an efficient 62.2% shooting.

The Sixers are averaging 110.3 PPG in the series.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Bucks (-5) win and cover the spread.