NBA Betting – Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers got a scare when MVP candidate Joel Embiid went down with a frightening leg injury. It wasn’t as serious as first expected, but the Sixers will be without their big man for the next few weeks while they try to maintain their hold on first place in the Eastern Conference standings. They passed the first test hammering San Antonio, but things get more difficult against reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the surging Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Bookmaker.eu offers a generous CASH welcome bonus (max bonus $1600)
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Opening NBA Odds: Bucks -5.5, O/U 236.5
Bucks at 76ers TV Coverage: ESPN
Odds Analysis
The odds for this game will definitely look much different when they hit the board. The Bucks have picked up steam winning four straight and nine of their last 10 to close the gap in the East. At this point it’s a three-team race for the top with Philly and Milwaukee having to contend with the Brooklyn Nets. The Bucks are playing their best ball of the season triggered by a relentless offense. They’ve won four straight going 2-2 ATS, but they’ve averaged over 130 points in the last three games cashing the OVER each time. Overall the Bucks are 25-14 SU and 19-20 ATS, but the OVER improved to 23-15 by cashing in six of the last nine outings. The Sixers are on a heater of their own with six straight wins and five covers. And they’ve been just as lethal offensively scoring at least 127 points in five of those games while averaging nearly 130 over that span. Philly is 28-12 SU and 22-17-1 after Tuesday’s win over New York.
Milwaukee Bucks
That phenomenal performance at the All-Star Game just carried over for Antetokounmpo, who is making waves for a third straight MVP award. The Greek Freak led the Bucks to their fourth consecutive win by compiling a third straight triple-double in a 133-122 payout win over the Wizards on Monday night. Antetokounmpo tallied 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists as the Bucks pulled away late after nearly squandering a 26-point third quarter lead. In the two-game sweep of Washington, Giannis totaled 64 points, 26 rebounds and 21 assists.
“He’s been in a good place mentally. The way he’s playing and creating for others and crating for himself and getting to the free throw line, he’s in a good place. He’s playing great basketball,” Mike Budenholzer said. Antetokounmpo is getting plenty of help from his teammates. Every player who got on the court scored with seven getting into double figures. Khris Middleton offered support scoring 23 points. It’s not surprising for one of the most efficient offensive teams in the NBA. The Bucks average nearly 120 points while connecting on 48.7 percent of their field goals.
Philadelphia 76ers
To a man the Sixers know they need everyone to contribute in Embiid’s absence. They showed off in their first game without the big fella stomping the Spurs 134-99. Another positive note was the return of Ben Simmons, who missed the first two post-break games because of COVID protocols. Having both Embiid and Simmons out would have been a nightmare, but the Sixers survived the first game getting contributions up and down the roster. The return of fans to the Wells Fargo Center also inspired the home team. The Sixers will get a serious reality check on Wednesday, though.
Like they were last season before the shutdown, the Sixers have been dominant at home. They improved to 17-3 SU and 14-6 ATS with their win over San Antonio. They will be playing their third game in four nights after Tuesday’s tussle with the surprising Knicks. At least the starters got a breather against the Spurs with most of them on the bench for the second half. When the team’s last met in Philly on Christmas Day 2019, Embiid put the clamps on Giannis in a 121-109 Sixers win. Somebody needs to step up defensively or it will be a long night on Wednesday.
Bet Bucks at 76ers at BookMaker.eu
You can’t take a MVP candidate out of the lineup and not feel the effects. Just ask the Lakers about that. Philly played an inspired game in the first outing without Embiid, but the Bucks are a different animal. With no one to get in his way Antetokounmpo should have another big game. He scored more than 30 points in two home meetings with Philly last season. And the Bucks have their pieces in place, making them a clear pick on the NBA betting line.
NBA Score Prediction: Bucks 125, 76ers 117
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
