The Milwaukee Bucks are running away with the Eastern Conference, and they are out to widen their lead when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Milwaukee is 25-3 at home, and the only team with a better record is Philadelphia. However, the Sixers have been abysmal on the road, posting a 9-19 record outside of the Keystone State.
This game will take place at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on February 22, 2020, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.
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Head-To-Head Results to Date
These teams have met twice this season with the home team winning each game. Philadelphia won the first clash between these teams on Christmas, as Joel Embiid scored 31 points and added 11 rebounds in a 121-109 victory. Milwaukee earned a spot of revenge just before the All-Star Break with Giannis Antetokounmpo posting 36 points and 20 rebounds in a 112-101 victory on February 6, and you can expect the Bucks to be a moderate favorite per the NBA betting odds in this game.
Injury Report
There are no injuries to report for Philadelphia. The Sixers are healthy and well-rested after the All-Star Break, and they will want to prove they can beat elite opponents on the road.
Kyle Korver might miss this game with a back injury, but he is playing limited minutes for the Bucks this season.
Matchup to Watch
The battle in the paint between Antetokounmpo and Embiid will be the focal point of this game. Antetokounmpo is well on his way to winning his second straight MVP award. He is averaging 30.0 PPG and 13.5 RPG, and he is also an excellent distributor with 5.8 APG. Antetokounmpo has made an astounding 54.9 percent of his shots on the season, but his free throw shooting has not been good.
Embiid is averaging a double-double as well with 22.9 PPG and 11.9 RPG, and he is one of the best players in the league on the offensive glass. The former No. 1 pick has missed a third of his team’s games due to injury, but he has been a force on the floor. He can stretch defenses with his range, and his play has been especially valuable since Al Horford has not lived up to his contract.
Game Preview
Khris Middleton has made the leap this year, and that has made Milwaukee the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. He is playing in a more familiar role this season, working off picks and screens more often, and that has led to Middleton shooting the lights out. Middleton is making 50.1 percent of his field goals and 43.8 percent of his threes, so the Sixers can’t just focus their attention on Antetokounmpo. Additionally, veteran George Hill has been excellent when asked to shoot, sinking an inconceivable 51.1 percent of his threes while averaging three attempts a game from range.
The Sixers have one of the worst defenses in the league away from home, but they can manufacture points. Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons have had quality seasons, and Josh Richardson can get hot and take a game over. Simmons is hitting 58.4 percent of his field goals, but he is still hesitant to shoot, and he isn’t as productive in the half-court. That will hurt in the postseason.
Prediction
Now that the All-Star Weekend has come and gone, we’re entering the second season in the NBA. Teams will start to be more focused and play better on defense, so the under is a solid play here. Philadelphia should not have this much trouble stopping opponents away from home, and that should change over the next two months.
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