Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks
Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
Saturday, April 2, 2011, 8:30 pm Eastern, TV: Comcast-Philly, Fox-Wisc, NBA League Pass
Opening Line: Bucks -1
Current Line: 76ers -2
Opening Total: 184
Current Total: 185 1/2
Money Line: PHI -130 / MIL +110
With time running short in the NBA regular season, teams are jockeying for position or just trying to get in to the playoffs. Philadelphia has already clinched a playoff spot and is the sixth seed in the East right now. They are 40-36 and have a 2 1/2 game lead over the Knicks for the sixth spot. Milwaukee, meanwhile is 4 games behind Indiana for the last spot in the East. They are 30-45 and their playoff chances are on life support with 7 games left to play. After starting the season 3-13, the 76ers have made a remarkable turnaround. In fact since January 22, they are 23-11 the third best record in the conference in that stretch. Philadelphia beat New Jersey 115-90 in their last game. Milwaukee is coming off an 89-88 loss at Indiana Friday night, a game the Bucks couldn’t afford to lose.
Philadelphia is 2-1 this season straight up versus Milwaukee this season. Philadelphia won both games in Philadelphia, 90-79 on November 19, and 95-94 on January 14. Milwaukee crushed them 102-74 on March 12 in Milwaukee. Philadelphia is 6-3-1 ATS in the last three seasons versus the Bucks, and 7-3 straight up. The over is also 7-3 in those ten games. The Bucks are 29-12 ATS when playing on back to back days the last two seasons. They are 14-2 ATS this season versus Atlantic Division foes. The 76ers are 24-13 ATS versus teams with losing records this season.
Philadelphia has no significant injuries right now. Six 76ers score in double digits. Elton Brand leads the team in points with 14.8, rebounds with 8.4, and blocks with 1.2 a game. Andre Iguodala leads the team in assists with 6.4 a game, and steals with 1.6 a game. Jrue Holliday (13.9), Lou Williams (13.8), Thaddeus Young (12.6), and Jodie Meeks (10.6) also score in double digits. The Sixers are coached by Doug Collins, who is in his first year with the team. Philadelphia is outscoring opponents 100-98 on the season. The 76ers are shooting 46.4% from the field and 36.1% from 3-point range. Philly opponents are shooting 45% from the field. The Sixers make 77.2% of their free throws. The 76ers pull down 42.1 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -0.3. Philadelphia averages 22.8 assists and 13.1 turnovers a game. They force 14.2 turnovers a game on defense. The Sixers average 7.6 steals and 4.3 blocks a game.
Milwaukee forwards Ersan Ilyasova (concussion) and Jon Brockman (shoulder) are both listed as doubtful for this game tonight. Forward Carlos Delfino is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Delfino averages 12.3 points and leads the team in steals with 1.7 a game. Ilyasova averages 9.3 points a game. Brockman only plays 10 minutes a game. Six Bucks average in double digit scoring. Point guard Brandon Jennings leads the team in scoring with 16.2 points a game, and assists with 4.9 a game. John Salmons averages 13.6 points a game. Center Andrew Bogut averages 13.1 points, and leads the team in rebounds with 11.2 a game, and blocks with 2.6 a game. Corey Maggette (12.5 points), and Drew Gordon (10.8 points) also contribute to the scoring. The Bucks are being outscored 93-92 on the season. Milwaukee shoots 42.8% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point range. Buck opponents are shooting 44.8% from the field. The Bucks make 75% of their free throws. Milwaukee averages 41.1 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of -0.8. Milwaukee averages 18.7 assists and 13.4 turnovers a game. The Bucks force 15 turnovers a game on defense. The bucks average 7.4 steals and 4.9 blocks a game.
Philadelphia clinched a playoff spot last night and had to travel to Milwaukee for this game. I think it is likely they will come out flat because of the emotional let-down and because they were likely celebrating last night. Milwaukee needs this game a lot more as they most likely have to win out to pass the Pacers and Bobcats for the last playoff spot. Milwaukee should win a close one.
Our pro basketball handicappers are red hot as the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach. Don’t miss out on any more winners from now until June.
