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The first Thursday night double-header in the NBA 2023-24 season features a top Eastern Conference matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the new-look Milwaukee Bucks. It is always fun when Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo square off.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers – game predictions
The Bucks are a 6-point home favorite with a total of 225 points.
Prediction 1: Bucks -6 @ -110 (1.91)
The Bucks are the better team and should only improve with Damian Lillard adding way more scoring power than Jrue Holiday had at point guard for the Bucks. This gives Giannis the best scoring teammate he’s ever played with, and Lillard is still one of the best 3-point shooters of all time. The 76ers are likely playing this game without James Harden, so they are especially at a disadvantage at point guard. But you should also trust Giannis to outplay Embiid and lead his team to a first home win of the season.
Prediction 2: Damian Lillard over 7.5 assists @ +110 (2.10)
Look for Lillard to not force the issue with scoring and shooting in his first game for the Bucks. He can still pass with the best of them, and this is the best team he’s ever played on. With Portland last year, Lillard dished out 11 assists in both losses he played against Philadelphia. Look for him to go over 7.5 assists in a win this time.
First look at new Bucks
It was one of the gambles of the season to trade away Jrue Holiday and shake up the core of what has been successful the last few years in Milwaukee. But after losing in the first round against bottom-seeded Miami last year, something had to change with the Bucks also hiring a new head coach. But all eyes will be on Damian Lillard in his team debut.
Milwaukee Bucks news, injuries, and starting lineups
Unlike last year, the Bucks also get to start this season with Khris Middleton healthy. He can take advantage of the coverage drawn to Lillard, who is a better outside shooter than Holiday was. Middleton can shine on nights when Giannis and Lillard want to play more of a facilitator role. This should be an improved Big 3 approach for the Bucks as they look to win another NBA title in the Giannis era.
Milwaukee Bucks injury report:
- Cameron Payne (thigh) is questionable
Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup:
Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Philadelphia 76ers news, injuries, and starting lineups
We are not listing any injuries for the 76ers for this game, but you could say James Harden is likely out with a bruised ego. The two sides are not seeing eye to eye, and the team has told Harden to stay home instead of traveling to Milwaukee for this game. Something is going to have to change there very soon in the form of a trade or someone sucking it up and going back to business. The 76ers cannot afford to have this type of distraction when real games that count are going on.
Philadelphia 76ers injury report:
- No injuries reported
Philadelphia 76ers starting lineup:
Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, De’Anthony Melton, Joel Embiid
Bucks vs 76ers head to head record
These teams split their 4 meetings last season. Here are the results from the last 5 meetings:
- 2/4/2023: 76ers lost 117-104 at Bucks
- 4/3/2023: 76ers won 133-30 at Bucks
- 18/11/2022: 76ers won 110-102 in Philadelphia
- 20/10/2022: 76ers lost 90-88 in Philadelphia
- 29/3/2022: 76ers lost 118-116 in Philadelphia
Key game details
- Date & Time: October 27, 2023, 00:30 GMT
- Venue: Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
- Where to watch match in UK: NBA League Pass, TNT Sports 1, or other live stream
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