The Milwaukee Bucks (49-33 last season) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (47-35) on NBA Wednesday, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The game is airing live on ESPN and streaming on YouTube TV and other streaming apps.
The Bucks are 3.5-point favorites over the 76ers (+3.5) on the spread, with the over/under currently at 223.5 points. The Bucks are -165 favorites on the moneyline to win outright, while the 76ers are +137 favorites to pull off the upset.
Let's dive into my Bucks vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, October, 23.
Bucks vs. 76ers Prediction
My pick: Under 222.5
When healthy, each of these teams is loaded with talent. They're not healthy.
The 76ers will be without both Joel Embiid and Paul George, while Khris Middleton is out for the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a game-time decision, and Damian Lillard will still be legitimate threat, but there will be a lot of role players and secondary options putting up shots in this one.
For all of your NBA bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NBA odds page.
Bucks vs. 76ers Odds
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -108 | 222.5 -110o / -110u | -177 |
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -112 | 222.5 -110o / -110u | +147 |
- Bucks vs. 76ers spread: Bucks -3.5
- Bucks vs. 76ers over/under: 222.5 points
- Bucks vs. 76ers moneyline: Bucks -177, 76ers +147
- Bucks vs. 76ers best bet: Under 222.5
Spread
This close spread would seem to assume Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is a game-time decision, will play. Khris Middleton is already out for the Bucks, while on the other side, both Joel Embiid and Paul George will not play. With so much uncertainty, this is a tough bet to make.
Moneyline
Assuming Giannis plays, it is reasonable to think the Bucks will win the game as both he and Damian Lillard form a pretty dynamic duo and there are good role players around them. That said, the 76ers are at home and still have the electric Tyrese Maxey and veterans like Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry to turn to.
Over/Under
This seems like a bit of a high number, considering how many players won't play in this one. Especially if Giannis does not play or is not his normal self, the Bucks will be hard-pressed to light up the scoreboard. The 76ers, without their best player in Embiid and new toy in George, can still be potent, but enough to pile up the points?
Last season, the Bucks had the league's 6th-best offensive rating, and the 76ers were at No. 14.
My pick: Under 222.5
Bucks vs 76ers Betting Trends
- 49% of bets and 55% of the money are on the Bucks to cover the spread
- 51% of bets and 60% of the money on the moneyline are on the Bucks to win outright
- 84% of bets and 79% of the money are on the over
Betting trends via our live, updating NBA public betting & money percentages page.
Bucks vs. 76ers Start Time, Channel, Streaming
| Location: | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Date: | Wednesday, October 23 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN, ESPN+ / YouTube TV |
76ers vs. Bucks is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET start time, live from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday. The game is live on ESPN, ESPN+ and streaming on YouTube TV.
Bucks vs. 76ers NBA Preview
Milwaukee Bucks: Depth and Star Power
Since winning the NBA Finals in 2021, the Bucks have been knocked out of the conference semifinals once and the first round of the playoffs twice. They have gone through multiple coaches during that time, and now Doc Rivers is back for his first full season at the helm.
When fully healthy, they still have one of the game's most unique talents in Antetokounmpo, who, when paired with Lillard and Middleton, forms a very dangerous Big 3. The trio combined to average 70 points, 20.6 rebounds, and 18.8 assists per game last season, but injuries prevented everything from really coming together as Giannis and Dame each missed nine games, and Middleton was out for 27.
The hope is this year will be different, and that those three, along with consistent role-playing veterans like Bobby Portis (13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds) and Brook Lopez (12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds), will provide enough around the margins while a full offseason and season with Lillard on the floor and Rivers on the sideline will be enough to get back to the heights they experienced not long ago.
Working against the Bucks is the age of their stars, along with their salaries. Roster changes were mostly minor, with the additions of Gary Trent Jr. (13.7 points), Delon Wright, and Taurean Prince, among others.
Philadelphia 76ers: Missing Pieces
Speaking of teams with questions to answer, the 76ers may rank at the top of the list. Known for falling short of high expectations, they're coming off a first-round exit after getting bounced in the conference semifinals each of the previous three seasons.
The addition of Paul George to pair with Embiid, the '23 MVP, and Tyrese Maxey was supposed to be what the team needed to finally get over the postseason hump. Unfortunately, that trio will have to wait as both Embiid and George are out with knee injuries, meaning much of the burden to start the season will fall on Maxey, at least for the first game of the season.
The guard may be up for the challenge, as he averaged 25.9 points per game last season and has seen his scoring average increase every season since he entered the league with an ability to shoot the three and get to the bucket.
After him, the Sixers will turn to veterans such as Lowry, Oubre Jr., Reggie Jackson, Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, and Guerschon Yabusele, who had a strong showing in the Summer Olympics. While not necessarily big names anymore, Oubre Jr. averaged 15.4 points per game last season while Gordon scored 11 per game and Martin 10 per night, albeit with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat, respectively.
When healthy, the 76ers have the look of a team that is prepared for a deep playoff run but also of one that could have its season derailed by injury.
