Sean Barnard details his preview and prediction for the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA matchup.

The Philadelphia 76ers will travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks tonight. This marks the second half of a back-to-back for the Sixers after a thrilling last-second victory over the Golden State Warriors last night. This also is the second time the Bucks and Sixers have faced off this season, with Philadelphia producing a 123-114 overtime victory in the first matchup. This is part of the 12-game slate of NBA action across the Friday night schedule.

Looking at the odds for tonight, the 76ers enter as 1.5-point favorites and hold -118 odds on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Bucks hold -102 odds of winning outright with the game total set at 221.5 points.

This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Friday night matchup.

76ers at Bucks Preview

The Philadelphia 76ers enter with a 12-9 record on the season, which puts them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They enter this matchup on a two-game winning streak after a last-second lay-in by VJ Edgecombe and a blocked shot at the buzzer by Tyrese Maxey sealed the win last night. Maxey also exploded for a career-high 54 points in the previous matchup with this Bucks team. Overall, the Sixers are 12-9 against the spread, with the over cashing in 11 of their 21 games.

Injuries have been a familiar storyline for the organization, with Joel Embiid playing just eight games this season, while Paul George has suited up for six. Embiid played last night on his minutes limit and is expected to sit out the second half of the back-to-back, while there is optimism that Paul George will be available. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford remain out with their respective injuries.

Maxey has carried the responsibility of holding the Sixers’ franchise on his shoulders this season and has impressed in the role. The 25-year-old is averaging 32.6 points, 7.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds while playing the best defense of his career. Embiid is the next-highest scorer on the team with 18.5 points per contest, with Quentin Grimes the most productive active secondary option at 16.8 points and 4.4 assists. Third-overall pick VJ Edgecombe adds 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists, while George is next with 13.5 points per game. Andre Drummond leads the team in rebounding with 9.4 boards per game, along with his 7.7 points.

As a team, the Sixers are generating 117.4 points per game, which ranks 16th in the league. They rank 19th in field goal percentage, 14th in three-point percentage, 14th in rebounds per game and 17th in offensive rating. Defensively, opponents are scoring 117.0 points per contest against them, which ranks 17th. Philadelphia ranks ninth in opponent field goal percentage, seventh in opponent three-point percentage and 15th in defensive rating.

The Milwaukee Bucks hold a 10-13 record on the season and have slipped to 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo is sidelined with a calf issue, with trade rumors surrounding the two-time MVP hanging over the franchise. The Bucks are just 1-5 without Antetokounmpo this season, and there is concern for what the team’s record will look like when he is cleared to play once again. Milwaukee is 10-13 against the spread, and the under has cashed in 12 of its 23 games.

Kevin Porter Jr. has made his return to the floor and leads the team in scoring, excluding Antetokounmpo, with 19.8 points and 5.0 assists per game. Ryan Rollins has been a major bright spot, with the 23-year-old adding 17.9 points and 5.9 assists per game. Prized offseason addition Myles Turner is adding 12.4 points and 6.0 rebounds, while Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, A.J. Green and Gary Trent Jr. round out most of the Bucks’ notable depth.

Milwaukee is generating 115.8 points per game, which ranks 20th in the league and rank 15th in offensive rating. It leads the league in three-point percentage at 41.0% as a team, while launching the 12th-most perimeter shots, and rank third in field goal percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 117.8 points per game against the Bucks, which ranks 20th, and they also rank 20th in defensive rating.

76ers at Bucks Prediction, Best Bet

The Milwaukee Bucks are teetering on disaster with Antetokounmpo sidelined, and these are the types of games that the Sixers must capitalize on to reach their desired outcome on the season. Picking themselves up again after last night’s thrilling win is a tough ask, but expect Milwaukee’s lack of scoring the be problematic in this game.

The Bucks are averaging 115.8 points per game on the season, but 109.3 in games without Antetokounmpo. Their entire offensive identity is built upon leaning on the superstar to attack the basket and kick to shooters on the perimeter. Without him at the helm, these looks will be increasingly difficult. Milwaukee is 2-8 in their last 10, even with Antetokounmpo being available for a portion of these matchups.

During the first game between these two teams, the Bucks had no answer for Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers’ star continually got to his spots and poured in 54 points. He enters this matchup having scored 35+ in three straight games, and his combination of downhill speed and perimeter shooting will continue to cause problems. Paul George also dropped a season-high 21 points in the matchup with the Bucks and will be looking to continue finding his footing with rest on his side.

Expect Philadelphia to have success getting out in transition and pushing the scoring to a level Milwaukee cannot match. This is a game that chould come down to the wire, but the Sixers have more ways to score the basketball, and that should be the difference. Expect some ugly stretches, but for Maxey to continue doing everything possible to elevate this team to a win. Count on him shining as the best player on the floor and lifting this Sixers team to another win, as has become a theme in each positive result this season.

Best Bet: 76ers Moneyline (-118)