Prediction, Odds & Injury Report for Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers Game on Wednesday, October 23rd

• We’ve made our Bucks vs 76ers prediction for Wednesday night’s game
• The latest Wednesday NBA odds favor “The Greek Freak” and company
• Read below for Bucks vs 76ers prediction, odds and latest injury updates

The NBA is back, and we couldn’t ask for a better season opener Wednesday night. The Milwaukee Bucks travel to the City of Brotherly Love to battle the Philadelphia 76ers on October 23 at 7:30 PM EDT on ESPN.

This Eastern Conference showdown features a pair of heavyweights who fell short of expectations last year. The Bucks are laying 3.5 points on the road, with the total set at 223.5.

Here us our Bucks vs 76ers prediction, along with Wednesday NBA betting odds and the latest injury updates.

Bucks vs 76ers Prediction

This series has been one-sided in recent years, with the Bucks winning seven of the last 10 meetings. They’ve covered the spread in six of those contests. Milwaukee’s success can be largely attributed to the dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has averaged 24.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in his career against Philly.

However, the 76ers will have home-court advantage in this one after going 25-16 at the Wells Fargo Center last season. They made significant offseason additions, most notably acquiring Paul George from the Clippers to form a new “Big Three” alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Unfortunately, both Embiid and George will miss this game due to knee injuries, putting more pressure on the newly-extended Maxey to carry the offensive load. The 23-year-old point guard falls just outside the top 20 in the early 2025 NBA MVP odds.

76ers: Joel Embiid and Paul George are out for opener vs. Bucks on Wednesday. Embiid is progressing well and ramping up, scrimmaging this week. He will not play this week. George will be re-evaluated later in the week. pic.twitter.com/oDFyAx1mbz

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2024

The Bucks have injury concerns of their own with All-Star forward Khris Middleton out indefinitely following offseason ankle surgery. However, they still have the luxury of leaning on the trio of Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and 2023 offseason acquisition Damian Lillard.

Lillard, the former Trail Blazers star, will be looking to bounce back after a subpar first season in Milwaukee, where he shot just 42.4% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range.

The 76ers have the talent edge when at full strength, but Milwaukee’s continuity and healthier roster give them the edge in this early-season matchup. The absence of Embiid and George will be a lot to overcome against a battle-tested Bucks squad.

My prediction is for the Bucks to cover the modest 3.5-point spread on the road and spoil Philadelphia’s opener. The lean is to the over 223.5 points, with the defensive intensity likely lacking in game one.

Wednesday NBA Pick:

• Bucks -3.5 (-110)

Bucks vs 76ers Odds

The Bucks are favored by 3.5 points on the road, which equates to a 62.7% implied probability of winning the game outright. Conversely, the 76ers are +142 moneyline underdogs, giving them a 41.3% implied probability of pulling the upset at home.

The game total of 223.5 points means oddsmakers expect a relatively high-scoring affair. This isn’t too surprising, given the offensive firepower on both sides and the likelihood of opening night rust leading to defensive lapses.

It’s worth noting that the public is backing the 76ers in early betting, with 67% of spread bets on the home underdog. This lopsided action has caused the line to move from Bucks -4.5 to -3.5. However, historically, fading the public has been a profitable strategy, especially with road favorites in heavily bet games like this one.

Odds as of October 23, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Sign up with the ESPN bet promo to wager on Wednesday’s NBA action.

Milwaukee vs Philadelphia Injury Report

The injury report will have a significant impact on this game, particularly for the 76ers. Nick Nurse’s squad will be without their two best players in Embiid and George. Maxey is expected to play through a thumb injury, but he’ll face immense pressure to create offense without his All-Star running mates.

For the Bucks, Middleton’s absence is noteworthy, but they’ve proven they can win without him, going 37-21 in games he missed last season. Antetokounmpo is a true game-time decision but is expected to suit up, which is a massive boost for Milwaukee.

The highly anticipated matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, October 23rd is sure to be a thrilling game for basketball fans. Both teams are coming off strong performances in the previous season and are looking to make a statement early in the new season.

The Bucks, led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, are considered one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. They finished last season with the best record in the NBA and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Antetokounmpo, who won the MVP award last season, will be looking to continue his dominant play and lead his team to victory against the 76ers.

On the other hand, the 76ers have a talented roster led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. They made some key offseason acquisitions, including Al Horford and Josh Richardson, to bolster their lineup. The 76ers are expected to be one of the top teams in the East this season and will be looking to make a statement against the Bucks.

In terms of injuries, both teams are relatively healthy heading into this matchup. The Bucks have reported no major injuries, while the 76ers are dealing with some minor ailments. Joel Embiid is listed as questionable with a sore ankle, but is expected to play in the game.

As for the odds, the Bucks are currently favored to win this game. They have a strong roster and home-court advantage, which gives them an edge over the 76ers. However, with the talent and depth of the 76ers, this game could easily go either way.

Overall, this game is shaping up to be a must-watch for basketball fans. With two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference facing off, it’s sure to be a competitive and exciting matchup. Be sure to tune in on Wednesday, October 23rd to see which team comes out on top in this early-season showdown.