The Milwaukee Bucks (27-4), the NBA’s top scoring team and 2-point favorites, will go head-to-head against the Philadelphia 76ers (22-10) at Wells Fargo Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 222 points and it starts at 2:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 25, 2019.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers ATS Odds
Both teams easily covered as favorites in their last outing. The 76ers (6.5-point favorites) defeated the Detroit Pistons 125-109, while the Bucks (8.5-point favorites) beat the Indiana Pacers 117-89. The Philadelphia game went 18.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5, while the Milwaukee game went 14 points under the projected point total of 220.
Milwaukee dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.135 (matching their season average) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 29.6 (above their season average of 21.6). For those same stats, Indiana was 0.030 and 18.2, respectively. The 76ers, on the other hand, had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 41.5 (above their season average of 23.5) and had a turnover percentage of 10.7 (better than their season average of 13.6). Ben Simmons played a huge role in the victory for Philadelphia with 16 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds to register his first triple-double of the year. Meanwhile, Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recorded 18 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists.
The Bucks edged out the 76ers in this series last year, taking two out of three games. In the last contest, Milwaukee won 128-122. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Milwaukee’s biggest advantages. They had 43 free throw attempts, while Philadelphia had just 18. This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Bucks games have a slight tendency to finish over the total (51.6 percent). Milwaukee comes into the game with records of 27-4 straight up (SU) and 18-13 against the spread (ATS).
Of the 76ers’ 32 games, 16 have finished over the projected point total. Further, Philadelphia owns records of 22-10 SU and 15-14-3 ATS.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The 76ers currently rank fifth in offensive rebounding percentage (24.1 percent), while Milwaukee ranks second in defensive rebounding percentage (80.8 percent). This contest should be a matchup of opposite tempos. The up-and-down Bucks rank fourth in possessions per game, while the slower-paced 76ers rank 21st.
Bucks vs. 76ers Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bucks average 18.3 points off turnovers per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The 76ers rank 16th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.2).
- Philadelphia ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (27.3) while Milwaukee ranks 29th (38.2).
- The Bucks rank fifth in second chance points per game (14.5) while the 76ers rank 20th (12.7).
- Milwaukee ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (6.7) while Philadelphia ranks 17th (7.9).
- Milwaukee ranks second in fast break points per game (19.1) while Philadelphia ranks 12th (13.8).
- The 76ers rank first in rebounds allowed per game (39.9) while the Bucks rank 20th (46.0).
- The Bucks rank first in points allowed in the paint per game (39.0) while the 76ers rank 12th (46.9).
- Philadelphia ranks third in blocks allowed per game (3.9) while Milwaukee ranks eighth (4.5).
- Philadelphia ranks second in assists allowed per game (21.3) while Milwaukee ranks 18th (24.3).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Milwaukee is 7-0 and Philadelphia is 10-0.
- When reaching 100 points, the Bucks are 27-4 and the 76ers are 19-5.
- Milwaukee is 8-6 ATS on the road, while Philadelphia is 8-7-2 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 8 of the 76ers’ 17 home games, while 7 of the Bucks’ 14 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bucks are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the 76ers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Milwaukee has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Philadelphia has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.8, up from 13.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the 76ers have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.2 points per game (5.3 above their season average).
