With only five games left for the Sixers, time is running out to move up the ladder in the Eastern Conference standings. A showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks presents Joel Embiid with a chance to help his team secure a higher seed and boost his odds to win league MVP.
Sixers vs Bucks Game info
Who: Sixers (51-26) @ Bucks (55-22)
When: Sunday, April 2nd, 2023
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
How to watch: NBC Sports Philly
How to Listen: 97.5 The Fanatic
Sixers vs Bucks Betting odds
Spread: Sixers +5.5 | Bucks -5.5
Moneyline: Sixers +175 | Bucks -205
Total: Over/Under 236.5 points
Latest with the Sixers
The 76ers are coming off a victory at home against the Toronto Raptors. As a team, Philly shot well from the field (56.2 percent) and the free throw line (92 percent). Rebounds and assists were almost the same on the stat sheet, but the ability to knock down more 3-pointers and foul shots helped give the Sixers the win.
According to Stathead, the Sixers improved to 9-2 when scoring 115 points and shooting over 55 percent.
Individually, Joel Embiid recorded another double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Although he had five turnovers, he anchored the Sixers defense and deterred multiple shots from Toronto’s players.
James Harden had another double-double, marking the 22nd game this season where he scored at least 20 points and dished out 10 assists according to Stamuse. The only other Sixer in franchise history to have more 20-point and 10-assist games is Allen Iverson, who had 23 in the 2004-2005 season.
The bench unit was solid for Philly and earned praise from Doc Rivers. He mentioned Danuel House and Georges Niang making contributions, but he lauded Paul Reed for his energy and hustle.
On Reed, the Sixers coach said, “Paul Reed was phenomenal. James is trusting him more. What Paul has to do every night is what he is doing. He has to roll, and he has to roll with speed.”
The Sixers had a 24-point lead at one point, but Toronto made a surge in the second half. Rivers attributed losing the lead to the Sixers just missing shots in the third and fourth quarters. He gave credit to his reserve unit for building a huge cushion for half the game.
“The bench in the first half basically won the game in a lot of ways for us. That’s who stretched the lead.”
Latest with the Bucks
The last time Milwaukee played, they were blown out by the Boston Celtics by 41 points. The battle for the top spot in the Eastern Conference is currently between these two teams, with Boston leading by a game and a half.
In this game, Jayson Tatum scored 40, while Jaylen Brown scored 30. Off the bench, Malcolm Brogdon contributed 14 points.
For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, and Jrue Holiday scored only six points. Bobby Portis was their leading bench scorer, putting up 12 points. The entire team shot poorly, making only 38-101 shots from the field.
The biggest difference was the 3-point shooting. Boston shot 51.2 percent beyond the arc, while the Bucks made only 32.6 percent from three.
Giannis and co. look to avenge that terrible home performance against the Celtics by taking on the Sixers. The last time they met, Philly won 133-130 in an amazing come-back victory. That rally snapped the Bucks’ 16 game win streak and gave the Sixers the season series lead 2-1.
What to expect
With seeding implications, we can expect a highly competitive matchup between Philly and Milwaukee. The Sixers are four games back from the number 1 spot, which the Bucks currently hold. The Sixers still have four games remaining after tonight’s game. Although they’d have a tougher time catching Milwaukee for that top seed, the 76ers can overtake the Celtics, who hold a two and half game lead.
In addition to these two teams battling for postseason position, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo are in a race to win league MVP. Nikola Jokic is also in the mix, but the game tonight could boost the odds for either Giannis or Embiid.
Expect Embiid to try and impose his will on Milwaukee as he tr
Injury report
Sixers: no players listed
Bucks: Meyers Leonard (out), Jevon Carter (doubtful), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (out)
Sixers vs Bucks betting offers
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
