NBA Basketball
2010-11-19 - Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Friday 19 November 2010 - Tip-Off 7pm ET
Midnight (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks (5-6) have prided themselves on their Defensive prowess when going into the game with the LA Lakers on Tuesday night, but they found it hard to control the Number 1 Offense and lost their first game after winning 3 in a row. The Bucks will feel they can get back to form when playing here against the Philadelphia 76ers (2-10).
The Bucks had held teams to an average of 89.4 points per game before the game with the Lakers, that being the League best. However, after allowing 118 to Kobe's team, they now have allowed an average of 92 points per game. They had held their previous 5 opponents before the Lakers to 91 points or less.
LA also shot over 53% from the field, the first team to shoot better than 49% against Milwaukee this season. The paint had usually been dominated behind the big players the Bucks have, but they allowed a season high 44 points there in their last game.
If the Bucks want to get back to their Defensive form, the 76ers look like a tailor made team to do so against. Philadelphia are averaging just 90.5 points per game and 41% shooting from the field in their last 4 games and they are now on a 5 game skid.
The 76ers had their worst shooting percentage from the field in their home loss to Toronto last time out and they continue to miss the presence of Andre Iguodala who has now missed 4 of their last 6 games. Iguodala had been averaging 12.8 points per game for Philadelphia, but he is suffering from tendonitis in his Achilles.
Elton Brand had been on a bit of a scoring funk in recent games, but did score 27 in the game with the Raptors. Brand scored just 5 points in his last 2 games with the Bucks last season.
Head to Head
Philadelphia and Milwaukee split their season series 2-2 last season, both winning 1 game on the others court.
The 76ers have a good recent record against Milwaukee, winning 7 of their last 9 meetings, although it has to be pointed out that they have lost 2 of the last 3.
The Bucks are 1-7-1 against the spread in recent games, but the favourite is 6-2-1 against the spread.
Philadelphia are 16-34-1 against the spread in their last 52 home games. Milwaukee are 22-7-1 ATS in their last 30 on the road.
Prediction
This is a tough spot for Philadelphia to come into as they are struggling Offensively and missing an important piece of their puzzle in Andre Iguodala. They are allowing too many points at the moment and it is hard for the Offense to keep up.
To make matters tougher, they play one of the better Defensive teams in the NBA who are in a position where they want to prove their prowess again after allowing too many points in their loss to the Lakers.
The Bucks also seem to be playing with more confidence recently after making a tough start to the season and I think they will win and cover the spread.
I'll take Milwaukee minus the points.
The Pick :
Philadelphia 84-91 Milwaukee Bucks
