Bucks vs. 76ers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Mar. 17, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference NBA action will resume on Wednesday night with the Sixers set to host the Bucks in primetime on ESPN. So, VI is getting you ready with a variety betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top matchups.

Bucks vs. 76ers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Eastern Conference
• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: Wells Fargo Center
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Date: Wednesday, Mar. 17, 2021
• Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Eastern Conference Betting Trends

Betting Odds - Bucks vs. 76ers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

• Spread: Bucks -5.5
• Money-Line: Milwaukee -220, Philadelphia +190
• Total: 236

The Bucks come into Wednesday’s contest as a 5.5-point favorite – which the largest sum of points the Sixers have received on a spread since they matched up with the Jazz on February 15th, when Utah laid 8.5 points.

While the total for this matchup currently sits at OU 236 – marking just the second time this season that the ‘over-under’ for a Sixers game has been set above 235 (@ WAS, U 239.5).

Ben Simmons and the 76ers will be facing a back-to-back spot on Wednesday and they've gone 3-1 in their last four games on no rest. (AP)

Bucks vs. 76ers Current Form-Last Game

The Sixers head into Wednesday’s matchup having won eight of their last nine games, with their only loss across that stretch coming in overtime to the Cavaliers back in February, 112-109.

Philadelphia’s most recent affair resulted in a 3-point win over the Knicks last night, as the Sixers held New York to just 14 points in the fourth quarter to steal another come-from-behind victory in the Wells Fargo Center.

The Bucks have also been hot lately – having won nine of their last 10 games, with their only loss across that span coming to the Nuggets back on March 2nd.

Milwaukee’s most recent contest resulted in an 11-point win over the Wizards – as the Bucks managed to knock off Washington in back-to-back matchups, but only covered the spread in one of those victories.

Bucks vs. 76ers Head-to-Head

• Feb. 22, 2020 - Bucks 119 vs. 76ers 98, Milwaukee -9.5, Under 227.5
• Feb. 6, 2020 - Bucks 112 vs. 76ers 1010, Milwaukee -9, Under 228

The Bucks won two of three regular season matchups against the Sixers last year, with the scores in all three of those contests being separated by double-digits.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 or more points in both of Milwaukee’s most recent victories over the Sixers – with his most impressive outing undeniably being his 36-point, 20-rebound, 6-assist performance during the second matchup between these teams last season.

During the Sixers lone win over the Bucks last year, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris shouldered the majority of the offensive load – combining for 53 points on 19-37 from the field on the way to a 12-point victory for Philadelphia.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

• Overall: 25-14 SU, 19-20 ATS, 23-15-1 OU
• Road: 10-9 SU, 7-12 ATS, 11-7-1 OU

Despite heading into Wednesday’s contest on a 6-1 SU run, the Bucks have only covered the spread in three of their last seven games – with only one of those victories ATS coming against a team sitting above .500 on the year (Win vs Clippers).

The total has gone ‘over” in three straight Bucks games now, which all resulted in victories against opponents with losing records that Milwaukee managed to score 125 points or more on.

Make note though, that prior to Milwaukee’s most recent stint of high-scoring affairs, the total stayed ‘under’ in three consecutive contests – and the totals set for those matchups were also in the 230’s.

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

• Overall: 28-12 SU, 22-17-1 ATS, 22-18 OU
• Home: 18-3 SU, 14-7 ATS, 13-8 OU

Embiid landed awkwardly on his left knee during a 22-point victory over the Bulls this past Thursday, which is expected to sideline Philadelphia’s All-Star center for at least 2-3 weeks.

The Sixers don’t seem to be feeling the magnitude of the loss his absence typically brings quite yet though, considering Philadelphia is entering Wednesday’s affair on a six-game winning streak – and Embiid hasn’t participated in half of those wins.

Obviously, Embiid getting injured is every Philadelphian’s worst nightmare, but this unfortunate situation has at least shined a bright light on the magnificent work Daryl Morey has done since joining the Sixers’ organization.

The pieces he put in place around his Simmons and Embiid this past offseason appear to have adequately equipped them for catastrophic events like this – which is most likely what we are witnessing during Philadelphia’s current stint of success.

Key Injuries

Milwaukee Bucks

• None

Philadelphia 76ers

• PF Joel Embiid: Knee - Out

Player Prop Best Bet

Giannis Antetokounmpo – Over 29.5 Points (-108)

Antetokounmpo heads into Wednesday’s matchup having scored 30 or more points in seven of his last 10 games – which includes his 35-point All-Star Game MVP-winning performance that he put on last Sunday.

The Sixers will be without Embiid in this contest, which will likely leave the task of defending Giannis to Tony Bradley and Dwight Howard. I don’t necessarily trust the Bucks to cover in this spot, but Antetokounmpo should effortlessly be able to fill the stat sheet on Wednesday night – especially considering how banged-up Philadelphia’s frontcourt is.

Bucks vs. 76ers Prediction

Despite Embiid not participating in three of Philadelphia’s last four games, the Sixers head into Wednesday’s matchup riding a six-game winning streak – with three of their last four victories coming by 22 or more points.

While on the other hand, the Bucks are 2-3 ATS in their past five matchups, with Milwaukee’s only wins ATS during that timeframe coming in double-digit victories over the Wizards and Knicks.

I’ll take Philadelphia with the points here, considering the Sixers appear to still be a dominant force in the Wells Fargo Center – even without their All-Pro center in the lineup.

Score Prediction: 76ers 119, Bucks 115
Best Bet: Philadelphia +5

VegasInsider Staff

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