NBA Underdog of the Day (Don’t Sleep on Bucks Against Sixers)
By Peter Dewey
The best matchup in the NBA tonight produces an interesting underdog, as the Milwaukee Bucks face the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
Giannis Antetokounmpo against Joel Embiid with a chance to move into sole possession of the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference? Sign me up.
I think there is some betting value on the Bucks, but before that, let’s take a look at the odds for this game via WynnBET:
Bucks vs. Sixers Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Bucks +1 (-110)
- Sixers -1 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Bucks: +100
- Sixers -120
Total:
- 231 (Over -110/Under -110)
Why Bucks Can Upset the Sixers on Tuesday
This isn’t the biggest underdog pick, but Tuesday’s slate has two double-digit favorites and two one-point spreads, leaving us with slim pickings for an underdog.
I’m going to lean with Milwaukee for a couple of reasons, with the first being the team’s offense over the last few games. Milwaukee is sixth in the NBA in offensive rating over its last 10 contests, while the Sixers come in at 17th.
On the flip side, the Sixers have posted the No. 9 defensive rating to Milwaukee’s No. 20, but the Bucks have a net rating (plus or minus points per 100 possessions) over their last 10 games of 4.8 compared to the Sixers at 0.3.
As much as the James Harden trade helped Philly’s ceiling, the Sixers are just 6-5 against teams in the top eight in each conference since the move.
Giannis and Jrue Holiday can make this a tough game for the Philly offense, and the return of Brook Lopez gives the Sixers even more bodies to throw at Embiid down low.
I’m not sold on the Sixers against the league’s elite just yet, and we know that the Bucks are going to try and position themselves for a solid seed in the East. I’m not so sure about Philly, as I’m sure the Sixers would love to avoid the Brooklyn Nets in the first round.
I’ll lean with the Bucks here at even money.
Lean: Bucks Moneyline (+100)
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.