On Thursday, 4/3, the Philadelphia 76ers (23-53) will host the Milwaukee Bucks (41-34) in an Eastern Conference match. The 76ers are struggling at the 13th spot, while the Bucks have slipped to the 6th spot. Will the 76ers suffer another humiliating loss here? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
76ers: Season can’t be over sooner
The Philadelphia 76ers will enter the match after a 14-point loss against the New York Knicks despite a 26-point performance by Quinten Grimes. The agonizing defeat was their ninth in a row, and they are 3-24 since the second week of February. The franchise is rolling out a fourth-string lineup at this point, understandably contributing to their ceaseless woes. But the 76ers didn’t take off even with their first-string lineups.
Joel Embiid played in 19 games and looked like a shell of the athlete that won the 2023 MVP award. Maxey played in 52 but at least performed as per the expectations, unlike Paul George. PG-13 did adjust towards the middle of the season but picked a season-ending injury, limiting his participation to 41 games. The season was doomed with the team having their core on the sideline for the most part. Overall, the 76ers need to figure out how to steady the ship during the offseason.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Quinten Grimes | SG: Lonnie Walker IV | SF: Justin Edwards | SF: Ricky Council IV | C: Adam Bona
Key Injuries/Updates: Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, and Paul George, are OUT FOR THE SEASON. Tyrese Maxen will probably be OUT for the season too. Kelly Oubre Jr, Kyle Lowry, and Erick Gordon are OUT indefinitely.
Bucks: Derailed
The Milwaukee Bucks will come into this game after beating the Phoenix Suns by 10 points as Giannis Antetokounmpo turned up with a 37-point, 11-assist gem. The much-needed win broke a four-game losing streak, but the team has taken a huge fall in the process. Their second superstar Damian Lillard has missed seven games in a row and Antetokounmpo has had to carry the extra load in the absence of a reliable second option.
Their troubles had mounted up even when Lillard was active, as he didn’t have ample help in the backcourt. The team traded for Kyle Kuzma in exchange for Khris Middleton, but the move didn’t address the team’s need for a consistent scoring role player. Overall, the Bucks don’t have the toughest schedule to finish the season but they need to fend off elite teams to enter with a strong rhythm in the playoffs.
Expected Starting Lineup
SG: Ryan Rollins | SG/SF: Kyle Kuzma | SF: Taurean Prince | PF: Giannis Antetokoumpo | C: Brook Lopez
Key Injuries/Updates: Damian Lillard is potentially OUT FOR THE SEASON. AJ Green’s status is UNCLEAR.
The 76ers have struggled to get near the 110-mark these days owing to their lineup deficiencies, however, they have had some strong defensive games every now and then. Meanwhile, the Bucks have better offensive tools but are inconsistent on that end, especially since Lillard’s absence. Overall, I expect the Bucks to breach the 123 mark here, while the 76ers can be limited around 105
Quinten Grimes to score over 26.5 points: The sharpshooter has taken full advantage as the first option for the short-handed 76ers. He has averaged around 26 points a game since March, and I believe he will repeat his heroics again.
Adam Bona to grab over 8.5 rebounds: Bona has tallied around 8 rebounds per game in the last seven games. I believe he will clasp 9-11 rebounds here.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to pile up over 12.5 rebounds: The Bucks superstar has gobbled up around 11 rebounds a game since March. I believe he will stack up 13-15 here..
Kyle Kuzma to score over 15.5 points: The sharpshooting Wing has accumulated around 14 PPG since joining the Bucks. I believe he will figure in the 16-18 range here.
The Bucks are undoubtedly the red-hot favorites here despite their troubles. Philadelphia is playing a lottery team and is getting blown out every game. They have no answer for Antetokounmpo and are somehow being kept afloat by Grimes. At any rate, I believe Milwaukee will be win by 15+ points
Safe Spread Pick: Bucks -13.5 for +110 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
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