Eastern Conference powerhouses Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks will get to test each other right away this season, as they meet Friday for another early-season, can’t-miss showdown.

Catch this game live on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 7:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Philadelphia 76ers (0-0/0-0 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Tyrese Maxey
• SG: De’Anthony Melton
• SF: Tobias Harris
• PF: P.J. Tucker
• C: Joel Embiid

Nick Nurse will look to make the right impression in his first regular-season game as head coach of the Sixers. The main weapons, though, are very much the same for the Sixers, with reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid as the undisputed Alpha in the City of Brotherly Love. Embiid averaged 33.1 PPG and 10.2 RPG while shooting 54.8 3FG% in 2022-23. 

However, James Harden is not playing this Friday, as he’s been asked by Philly to not travel with the team. With that, the Sixers could potentially have a starting backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and De’Anthony Melton. Maxey is on the rise and he’s got dark horse potential to be an All-Star this season. The absence of Harden could also pave the way for an early showcase of Philly newcomer Kelly Oubre Jr., who, just a season ago, averaged a career-high 20.3 PPG with the Charlotte Hornets. 

Home: Milwaukee Bucks (0-0/0-0 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Damian Lillard
• SG: Malik Beasley
• SF: Khris Middleton
• PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• C: Brook Lopez

The Bucks are finally going to parade the newest super-duo in the league, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard now flanking each other. As always, there are chemistry issues whenever a superstar comes into the mix of a team that already has another superstar, but there is a case to be made that Giannis and Dame are made for each other, particularly on offense. 

Last season, the Bucks were 13th in the league in adjusted offensive rating. They can be expected to be better this time around. Last season, Lillard averaged 32.2 PPG on 56.4 eFG%. Although they lost a perimeter defensive stalwart in Jrue Holiday, Lillard can more than make up for it with his offense. Plus, the Bucks still have Brook Lopez to anchor the team in the middle and Giannis’ length to bother opponents. 

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Sixers (+6) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (225.0) hits the Over.