Bucks vs 76ers Picks and Predictions: Trust the Greek Freak

The Philadelphia 76ers put up a good fight in the first of what should be several games without star center Joel Embiid before ultimately coming up short against the New York Knicks.

Things don’t get any easier tonight as the Sixers play their second game in as many nights, this time against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.

Can Philly pull out the cover as underdogs without Embiid or is Milwaukee an easy bet? Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Bucks vs. 76ers on November 9.

Bucks vs 76ers odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The 76ers opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 6.5-point underdogs and have surprisingly seen the early money, moving the line to 5.5. The total hit the board at 221.5 and bettors have hammered the Under dropping the number as low as 218. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Bucks vs 76ers predictions

• Prediction: Bucks -5.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 218.5 (-110)
• Best bet: 76ers team total Under 106.5 (-120)

Predictions made on 11/09/2021 at 11:45 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Bucks vs 76ers game info

• Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT

Bucks vs 76ers betting preview

Injuries

Bucks: Khris Middleton SF (Out), Brook Lopez C (Out), Donte DiVincenzo SG (Out).
76ers: Joel Embiid C (Out), Tobias Harris PF (Out), Matisse Thybulle SG (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Under is 7-0 in the Bucks' last seven games overall and is 4-0 in the 76ers' last four games at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. 76ers.

Bucks vs 76ers picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

This might be a great matchup when May rolls around, but tonight… not so much. Joel Embiid and Khris Middleton are the big names missing, but there will also be a handful of other important role players for each team out of action.

So, what does that mean for those wanting to bet on this game?

Well, it looks like Giannis is the only guy we can rely on in this matchup. It’s been hard to trust the Bucks early on this season as they are clearly nursing a championship hangover. Milwaukee has opened the season at just 4-6 SU/ATS and is mired in a 1-5 stretch while ranking a stunning 19th in net rating.

That said, Giannis is still doing his thing. The two-time MVP is averaging 27.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game this season. Another reason to like Antetokounmpo and the Bucks here is they still jack up the fifth-most threes per game and are going against a mediocre Sixers perimeter defense that just watched the Knicks hit 13 threes last night.

While the Sixers got some balanced scoring against the Knicks with six players notching double-digit points, they shot just 38 percent from the field for the game and ended up losing 103-96. 

Even with key pieces missing on both sides, this is a tough ask of the Sixers playing their second game in as many nights. The Bucks have the edge of having the best player on the court by a wide margin. Bet on the Greek Freak to take over to get Milwaukee out of its current funk.

Prediction: Bucks -5.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

The early money has come in on the Under and even though we’ve already lost the best number, we're still leaning the same way.

For starters, the 76ers managed just 96 points last night without Embiid. It was the fewest points they've scored all season and just the second time they didn’t break the century mark. On top of that, Philly ranks dead last in the NBA in pace. 

Meanwhile, the Bucks offense has sputtered early on this season. Milwaukee ranks 18th in offensive rating, 19th in points per game, and 19th in 3-point shooting percentage. That’s not likely going to improve with Middleton and Brook Lopez still out.  

Prediction: Under 218.5 (-110)

Best bet

The 76ers will once again rely on a scoring-by-committee approach in this game, and if they can’t drain a bunch of threes, it could be another long night for Philly.

Missing Embiid is a huge loss for the Sixers offense. Obviously, the points are a big thing, but Embiid is also an excellent passer and works the inside-out game with his shooters as well as anyone. Without Embiid, the Sixers have to work even harder to move the ball and create shots. 

For example, the Sixers are the best 3-point shooting team in the NBA at this point but just shot just 32 percent from deep against the Knicks last night.

And while the Bucks have had some issues on the defensive end this season, one place they have done well is limiting opponents beyond the arc. Milwaukee ranks fifth in the NBA in opponent 3-point percentage and has played better at that end of the floor of late, ranking 11th in defensive rating over its last five games.

Bet on the 76ers to have a tough time scoring in this one.

Pick: 76ers team total Under 106.5 (-120)

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