76ers vs Bucks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Milwaukee Bests Philly Defense on Thursday

Before Joel Embiid’s injury, the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Milwaukee Bucks would get marquee NBA billing. Without Embiid, not so much.

The NBA odds agree, with the 76ers listed as 7.5-point road underdogs for this Eastern Conference matchup. And for good reason.

The Sixers enter this matchup having lost six of their last nine games straight-up while going 2-7 against the spread. While the Bucks return home after a tough road trip, they should have more than enough firepower to take down Philly tonight.

I break it all down and bring you the best bet plus a same-game parlay in my NBA picks and predictions for 76ers vs. Bucks on Thursday, March 14.

76ers vs Bucks odds

76ers vs Bucks predictions

The Milwaukee Bucks return home after a rough road trip where they went just 1-3 straight-up and against the spread. The Bucks were plagued by cold shooting during the trip, hitting just 38.3% of their attempts from the field. But a matchup with the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers might be just what they need to get back on track.

Obviously, the Sixers aren’t the same offensively without Embiid, but his presence is missed just as much on the other end of the floor. Philly has the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA since Embiid got hurt at the end of January. They also rank 23rd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and 25th in rebounding rate during this latest period without the reigning MVP. That means containing the Bucks will be a tough ask for Philly.

Despite the cold streak, this is still a team that employs Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. With those two leading the way, Milwaukee owns the fifth-best offensive rating in basketball while ranking fourth in effective field goal percentage and fourth in scoring offense. 

That scoring has been down a bit lately, but I think that’s part of the reason we are getting a good number when it comes to the Bucks team total for this matchup. That number is sitting at 113.5.

Despite the recent struggles, the Bucks have still gone Over this number in four of their last nine games. That includes a Feb. 25 meeting against this same Sixers team, which Milwaukee won 119-98.

Both Giannis and Dame were efficient in that matchup. Antetokounmpo went 10 of 17 from the field for 30 points while Lillard added 24 points while going 4-for-8 from 3-point range.

The Bucks will be happy to be home and will put on a solid performance against a Sixers team that is struggling defensively. Take Milwaukee to go Over its team total in this one.

My best bet: Bucks team total Over 113.5 (-108 at FanDuel)

76ers vs Bucks same-game parlay

Bucks team total Over 113.5

Jae Crowder Over 3.5 points

Malik Beasley Over 1.5 assists

+525 at bet365

While I like Giannis and Dame to do their thing in this matchup, their player props are inflated as per usual. So, I’m looking at a role player to go Over their point total in this one.

Jae Crowder has a meager point total of just 3.5. It’s a number he’s gone Over in five of his last eight games. Our Covers Prop Projections have him at 4.9 points. Add the Over 3.5 points in the Jae Crowder odds.

Let’s close this same-game parlay out with Malik Beasley to go Over 1.5 assists. Beasley has gotten a little more involved in playmaking recently, recording two or more dimes in six of his last 10 games. The 76ers rank 24th in opponent assists per possession. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

76ers vs Bucks spread and Over/Under analysis

The Bucks opened this matchup as 8.5-point home favorites, but it’s the 76ers who have seen the early action, moving the line to Bucks -7.5. When these teams last met on Feb. 25 the Bucks closed as 4.5-point road favorites, a number which they covered easily in the 119-98 victory.

The Bucks only covered once on their four-game road trip, but they had covered in six games in a row prior to that. 

It’s not like the Sixers are playing well themselves. Philly has covered the spread in just two of its last nine games. The 76ers offense hasn’t been much better than its defense. They rank 28th in offensive rating and dead-last in eFG% over that nine-game stretch, putting up a meager 100.8 points per game. 

I have no official play on the spread here, but I would lean towards the Bucks or stay away entirely.

When it comes to the total, that hit the board at 220.5 and has been bet down slightly to 219. I like the Bucks to bounce back offensively in this matchup, but it might not be enough to send this one Over the total considering the Sixers' offensive woes.

76ers vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Bucks have hit the moneyline in 24 of their last 30 games at home for +9.65 units and a 7% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Bucks.

76ers vs Bucks game info

76ers vs Bucks latest injuries

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