NBA Betting Odds and Predictions: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks
Tuesday, 1/22/13, 8:00 PM EST, TV: FSWI
Opening Point Spread: Milwaukee -6.5
Current Betting Line: Milwaukee -7
Opening Total: 196.5
Current Total: 196.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Philadelphia 76ers haven't had much success on the road recently — The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t had much success on the road recently

Philadelphia has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, as it comes off a 90-85 setback to the San Antonio Spurs as six-point home underdogs last night, while going UNDER the total for the first time in four contests. “As soon as the clock hits 0.0, it’s behind us,” commented 76ers forward Thaddeus Young. The 76ers are going to have a hard time bouncing back, considering they’ve lost 12 of their last 14 games away from the Wells Fargo Center. Philadelphia is 2-9 ATS when playing on back-to-back days this season, with the UNDER going 8-3 in that situation.

The 76ers are 6-14 overall on the road this season, including a 3-7 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia has lost six of the past 11 meetings in this series, while scoring 100-plus points just once over the past 12. Offensively, the franchise has failed to score above 96 points in the past nine meetings, averaging 89.9 points per game in that span. Point guard Jrue Holiday will need to lead the charge, as he’s averaging team-highs of 19.2 points and 8.9 assists.

Milwaukee returns home after winning three of four on its most recent road trip, including a 110-104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers as 4.5-point underdogs Saturday, while going OVER the posted total of 196. The Bucks have compiled a 5-2 record since interim coach Jim Boylan took over the team since the firing of Scott Skiles. “I’m really proud of the guys,” commented Boylan this week. The squad is 11-3 this season when scoring 100 or more points, something to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread Tuesday night.

The Bucks are led by their backcourt combination of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, as they average 37.4 points per game, while also dishing out 11.2 assists. Milwaukee ranks first in the NBA in blocks per game with 7.62, but could suffer a letdown after winning three games on the same road trip for the first time since the 2001 campaign. Jennins led the team with 33 points in a 105-96 victory over Philadelphia as four-poitn road underdogs on Nov. 12.