The Philadelphia 76ers are back in action on Thursday against a familiar face in Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers have been playing some disappointing basketball as of late, but can they spring a surprise against the Bucks?
76ers vs Bucks: Game Information
Who: Philadelphia 76ers (36-29) at Milwaukee Bucks (42-24)
When: 8:00 pm EST
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee WI
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Wisconsin
76ers vs Bucks: Betting information
Moneyline: 76ers +250 | Bucks -325
Spread: 76ers +7.5 | Bucks -7.5
Total: Over/Under 220
Latest on the 76ers
The Sixers have 10 of their next 15 games against playoff teams with the Bucks, Clippers, Suns, Heat, and Magic all on the schedule over the next few weeks. The issue for the 76ers is that they’re not doing anything right, of late. After shooting just 38.8% from the floor, including 30% on their three-point attempts, it didn’t look like it could get any worse. Then they played on Tuesday where they shot 37.5% from the floor and just 24.2% on their three-pointers. The team is playing some of the worst basketball we’ve seen all season and they’re doing it at the wrong time.
With everyone calling out all of the players on the roster for poor play and poor shooting, the easy target has remained Tobias Harris, who the team and fans would expect to have stepped up with Joel Embiid and Maxey both missing time. He hasn’t and it’s getting worse. Over the last five games, Harris has shot 38.8% from the field and 11.1% on his three points attempts. He hasn’t made a three-pointer since the Grizzlies game on March 6th and even in that game he only made one. When the team has needed him most, he’s completely disappeared and there’s nothing being done to correct it.
Latest on the Bucks
Milwaukee was cruising along to the tune of a 30-13 record and second place in the Eastern Conference when the team fired it’s head coach, Adrian Griffin, and replaced him the following week with former Sixers coach, Doc Rivers. Since then the Bucks have gone 10-10 and are tied with the Cavaliers for second place in the East. The Bucks haven’t slipped in the standings, but it’s not because of their own play.
The Bucks could be without their star big man, Giannis Antetokounmpo as he’s recently been listed as probable for the team tonight as he has battled some hamstring soreness. This isn’t to say that Giannis isn’t sore but if there was a game to miss, tonight’s matchup would be the one as the team is preparing for the playoffs themselves and they’ll want everyone as healthy and rested as they can be.
If Giannis doesn’t play tonight, which is highly unlikely, the team still has Damian Lillard to lead the way. With Lillard enjoying a successful first season in a Bucks uniform, he’s currently averaging 24.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. He’ll be able to put up more than 30 as the Sixers defense has been virtually non-existent of late.
In addition to Giannis and Lillard, Brooke Lopez, Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder, and former Sixers Pat Beverley will be suiting up and giving the Sixers fits. The team is still missing Khris Middleton, who’s nearing a return from a left ankle sprain suffered back on February 6th. While the team has missed Middleton, tonights game isn’t the one they need to bring him back for.
What to watch for tonight
Tyrese Maxey should be looking to have a breakout game after missing four games with a concussion and returning in the loss to the Knicks on Tuesday. Maxey had 17 points on 6-14 shooting but he was an encouraging 3-6 on his three-point attempts in just 28 minutes. After being symptom free last time out, he should see his minutes increase closer to his usual 35 per game. The Sixers will need every bit of whatever Maxey can give them, if they’re going to even have a chance against the Bucks.
One bright spot has been the play of reserve center Paul Reed. Even though he’s coming off the bench, Reed has averaged 28 minutes per game over the last three while chipping in with 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds and shooting 56.3% from the floor. While it’s a small sample size, the Sixers have found a good spot for Reed as he’s been the one shining light over the last few games and seems to have developed some consistency to his game. If the Sixers can get a good game form Maxey and see Reed and Kelly Oubre Jr. continue to provide a good secondary spark, the team could surprise everyone tonight.
76ers vs Bucks Prediction
Sixers 95 – Bucks 121
AP Photo/Gareth Patterson
