Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Philadelphia 76ers will look to continue their dominance over the Milwaukee Bucks when the two teams face off at Well Fargo Center Friday night. Philadelphia has won eight of their last 10 games against the Bucks, including a 90-79 win at home earlier this season.
The 76ers fell 112-109 in overtime at Detroit on Saturday, and then let another strong offensive performance go to waste in a 111-108 loss at home against the Pacers on Tuesday.
The Bucks crushed the Nets 115-92 on Saturday, but fell 91-84 at home against the Spurs on Wednesday. Milwaukee is averaging a league-low 91.1 points a game this season.
Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s games, oddsmakers have the 76ers favored by 5-points over the Bucks at home.
While the Bucks exploded for 115 points against the Nets, they have topped the 100 point mark just twice in their last 20 games. Milwaukee is also shooting a league-worst 41.7% from the field.
The Bucks shot just 39.5% in their latest loss to the Spurs, and scored just 33 points in the second half, after leading San Antonio by eight after two quarters. John Salmons led the Bucks with just 17 points and Andrew Bogut added 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Milwaukee has played well on the defensive end, as they come into the game allowing just 93 points a game, and if there are going to have any chance of winning, they have to be dominant on that side of the ball.
The Bucks could get some offense going against the 76ers tonight. Philadelphia has allowed nearly 105 points over their last four games, and is a big reason they are riding a two game losing streak.
Andre Iguodala returned to the starting lineup, after missing the previous seven games with tendinitis in his right Achilles. However Iguodala went 0-7 from the field, and scored just one point in 33 minutes. Jrue Holiday led the way with 19 points, eight assists, and seven rebound, and Elton Brand had 18 points.
Expect a much better showing from Iguodala in this game, as he has had a few days to practice and get back in the flow of things. Iguodala didn’t play in the first meeting against the Bucks, and if he can play well, the 76ers should be able to get the win.
This is just the third game in the last six days for both teams, so they should be pretty well rested. I think that extra rest will allow Philadelphia to bring a little more intensity on the defensive end, and I think you have to lay the points and take the 76ers to win this game by at least six points.
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