The Philadelphia 76ers aim to build on their recent road resilience when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum in a matchup that feels like a playoff prelude, even early in the 2025-26 season. With both teams hovering around .500 and grappling with star absences—Philadelphia without Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr., Milwaukee sans Giannis Antetokounmpo—this tilt tests depth and adaptability. Tyrese Maxey’s MVP-caliber explosion (32.6 PPG) carries the Sixers’ offense against a Bucks squad leaning on Ryan Rollins’ breakout (17.9 PPG) and elite three-point volume (15.7 makes/game, 2nd in NBA). Expect a battle of contrasting paces: Philly’s deliberate half-court sets versus Milwaukee’s transition bursts, potentially hinging on rebounding where the Bucks’ +2.0 margin meets the Sixers’ 32.7 defensive boards/game (5th in East). This rematch of their November 21 overtime thriller (76ers 123-114) could foreshadow late-season drama in the playoff hunt.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (home of the Milwaukee Bucks; capacity: 17,341). The modern arena, opened in 2018, has been a Bucks stronghold (7-6 home), known for its intimate setup and roaring crowds that amplify three-point celebrations.
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: FanDuel SportsNet Wisconsin (Bucks local), NBC Sports Philadelphia (76ers local), NBA TV Canada (national). Streaming on NBA League Pass and Fubo.
Both teams enter rested after Thursday/Wednesday wins, but Milwaukee’s frontcourt depth could fatigue on the second night of a homestand.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Standing | Recent Streak |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 12-9 (.571) | 7-6 home / 5-3 away | 7th in Eastern Conference (4.5 GB behind CLE) | W2 (5-5 in last 10) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 10-13 (.435) | 7-6 home / 3-7 away | 10th in Eastern Conference (7.5 GB behind CLE) | W1 (2-8 in last 10) |
Philadelphia ranks 16th in scoring (117.4 PPG) and 17th in defense (117.0 allowed), with a +0.4 net rating. Milwaukee is 20th offensively (115.8 PPG) but leads the league in three-point percentage (41.0%), while allowing 117.8 PPG (20th).
Recent Team Forms
The 76ers have steadied after November’s 6-9 stumble, winning two straight to climb into playoff contention. Their latest: a defensive masterclass 99-98 thriller over Golden State on December 4, where Maxey’s 35 points and game-sealing block on De’Anthony Melton preserved the win amid Embiid’s questionable status. Before: a 121-102 rout of Washington on December 2 (Maxey 35 PTS again).
Over the last 5 games (3-2): W 99-98 vs. GSW, W 121-102 vs. WSH, L 134-142 (2OT) vs. ATL (Nov. 30), W 115-103 at BKN (Nov. 28), L 103-144 vs. ORL (Nov. 25). Average: 115.6 PPG scored, 117.2 allowed (-1.6 margin). Road form is sharp (5-3, +3.6 margin), but turnovers (14.9/game) and reliance on Maxey persist.
Milwaukee snapped an eight-game skid with a gritty 113-109 home win over Detroit on December 3 (Rollins 20 PTS, Portis 26 PTS), but their form remains shaky without Giannis. Prior: a 129-126 road loss to Washington on December 1 exposed defensive lapses (allowing 50% FG).
Over the last 5 games (1-4): W 113-109 vs. DET, L 126-129 at WSH, W 116-99 vs. BKN (Nov. 29), L 109-113 at MIL? Wait, sequence: L at WSH, prior L 98-99 at DET (Nov. 27), L 115-117 vs. ATL (Nov. 25). Average: 112.4 PPG scored, 116.6 allowed (-4.2 margin). Home scoring surges (119.4 PPG at Fiserv), but rebounding dips without Giannis (team -2.0 margin in his absences).
Injury Report
Star absences dominate both sides, thinning scoring and frontcourt depth. Pre-tip updates critical; Embiid and George are game-time calls.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details | Impact |
| 76ers | Paul George (F) | Day-to-Day | Left knee recovery (missed 22 games; GTD but expected limited) | Co-star (pre-injury: 22.6 PPG); spacing and D suffer (team 3PT% -3.2% without). Maxey absorbs load. |
| 76ers | Kelly Oubre Jr. (G/F) | Out | Left knee sprain (LCL; re-eval Dec. 12) | Wing scorer (15.4 PPG); bench energy hit (76ers 4-6 without him). |
| 76ers | Trendon Watford (F) | Out | Adductor strain (re-eval Dec. 18) | Versatile forward (8.9 PPG); frontcourt depth strained. |
| 76ers | Joel Embiid (C) | Questionable | Right knee management (missed 17 games; load management on B2B) | MVP center (18.5 PPG in limited GP); rim protection down (blocks -2.1/game sans him). Drummond steps in. |
| Bucks | Giannis Antetokounmpo (F) | Out | Left adductor strain (since Nov. 25; re-eval mid-Dec, 2+ weeks) | Franchise cornerstone (28.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG); Bucks 0-5 without, scoring dips 12 PPG. Portis/Turner elevate. |
| Bucks | Taurean Prince (F) | Out | Neck (surgery recovery; out until Jan.) | Wing defender (10.5 PPG); perimeter D exposed (opp 3PT% +4.1%). |
Key Player Matchups
Injuries shift focus to secondary stars and depth. Milwaukee’s three-point barrage (41.0%) tests Philly’s 34.5% opp 3PT allowed (mid-pack), while Sixers’ steals (8.2/game, top-5) target Bucks’ 14.7 turnovers/game.
Tyrese Maxey (PHI) vs. Ryan Rollins (MIL): Maxey’s scoring surge (32.6 PPG, 3.8 3PM) vs. Rollins’ two-way emergence (17.9 PPG, 5.9 APG, 1.6 SPG). Rollins guarded Maxey to 28 PTS in Nov. OT loss. Edge: Maxey.
Quentin Grimes (PHI) vs. AJ Green (MIL): Grimes’ efficiency (16.8 PPG, 35.4% 3PT) vs. Green’s sniper role (3.4 3PM, 49.7%). Green’s volume tests Grimes’ D. Edge: Green at home.
Andre Drummond (PHI) vs. Myles Turner (MIL): Drummond’s boards (9.4 RPG) vs. Turner’s stretch-five game (12.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG). Sans Embiid/Giannis, paint battle key. Edge: Turner.
VJ Edgecombe (PHI) vs. Kyle Kuzma (MIL): Rookie’s athleticism (14.4 PPG, 1.4 SPG) vs. Kuzma’s scoring (assume 15+ PPG). Edgecombe’s transition shines. Edge: Edgecombe.
Bench: Justin Edwards (PHI) vs. Bobby Portis (MIL): Edwards’ energy vs. Portis’ microwave (11.9 PPG, recent 26 vs. DET). Depth for fourth-quarter surges. Edge: Portis.
Watch Bucks’ 15.7 3PM vs. Sixers’ 13.3 allowed; Philly’s blocks (5.9/game sans Embiid?) vs. Milwaukee’s drives.
Series History
The 76ers-Bucks rivalry is NBA royalty, with 231 regular-season meetings and nine playoff series (most between any two teams). Milwaukee holds the edge overall, but Philly dominates playoffs.
All-Time Regular Season: Bucks lead 125-106 (54.1%). Last 10 RS: Bucks 6-4.
All-Time Playoffs: 76ers lead 6-3 (e.g., 1983 ECF Philly 4-0; 2001 ECF Bucks 4-3). Last: 2021 Semis Bucks 4-2.
Overall: Bucks 145-134 (52.0%).
Recent: 76ers won last 123-114 OT (Nov. 21, 2025 at PHI; Maxey 54 PTS). Bucks won prior three: 126-113 (Mar. 30, 2025 at MIL), 135-127 (Feb. 9, 2025 at MIL), 123-109 (Jan. 19, 2025 at MIL). In last 5: Bucks 3-2, averaging 122.6-118.0 scores (Bucks +4.6 margin). Overs hit 80%.
Home teams win 58% ATS; totals over 62% in recent high-scoring affairs.
Betting Trends
Spread: 76ers 11-10 ATS overall (6-3 road). Bucks 10-13 ATS; 6-6 as 1+ dogs. Trend: Dogs cover 6/10 last in series; road teams 4/6 ATS.
Moneyline: 76ers 9-2 as -123+ faves; Bucks 4-8 as +103+ dogs.
Total: 11/23 76ers overs (47.8%); Bucks 12/21 overs (57.1%). Last 5 H2H: 80% over. Trend: Overs 7/10 Bucks home; 6/10 Sixers road.
Predicted Score; Milwaukee Bucks 114, Philadelphia Sixers 112
Game Odds
Philadelphia Sixers – 1.5
Milwaukee Bucks 222.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
