The Bucks have been playing inspired basketball after losing center Andrew Bogut, thanks in part to the effort from John Salmons. Lay the points on Milwaukee tonight at Philadelphia.
The Milwaukee Bucks travel to the City of Brotherly Love in hopes of capturing a win against the host 76ers on Friday night. Philadelphia has controlled this series lately going 7-1 SU/ATS, including two of three this season.
This Bucks team is somewhat different than the team that played in most of the previous eight series meetings with the notable addition of John Salmons. Although Salmons had a poor shooting night in his only appearance against the Sixers this season, going 2-for-12 from the floor, the Bucks are much improved with him as they are 20-6 since he joined the team.
Milwaukee’s bench has had to step up its play with the loss of center Andrew Bogut. The Bucks have won and covered both contests without him in their lineup. Forward Kurt Thomas has helped on the defensive end of the floor while averaging 12 rebounds per game in their two most recent outings.
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On the offensive end we have seen Jerry Stackhouse, Ersan Ilyasova and Luke Ridnour pick up the slack by hitting shots.
It may seem odd to back a team that has had limited success in this series but the Sixers are 11-28 against the spread at home this season, including 1-5 ATS their last six. Philadelphia has struggled when coming off a road loss in its last game going 1-12 ATS this season.
The Sixers are also a horrible 4-13 ATS when installed as a home underdog.
This Bucks team has done a great job avenging losses during the 2009-10 campaign, especially when avenging a loss as a favorite. Milwaukee is 8-1 ATS revenging a straight up loss as a favorite and a perfect 7-0 ATS revenging a straight up loss as a home favorite this season.
Finally we note that the Bucks are strong off a home win of ten or more points posting a solid 8-1 ATS mark so far this season.
With significant fundamental support as well as situational and technical we will back the visitor here as the Bucks buck recent history and grab a straight up and against the spread win in Philly on Friday night.
Projected Final Score: Milwaukee-99 Philadelphia-89
Free Pick: Bucks -4½ (-110)