Bucks' top-three shooting faces 76ers defense ranked 12th

The Milwaukee Bucks (32-50) and their third-ranked shooting offense from last season visit the Philadelphia 76ers (45-37), 12th in opponent effective shooting, on Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 PM ET.

Milwaukee's effective field goal percentage of 56.5 ranked third, and its three-point rate of 45.7 ranked fifth. Philadelphia's opponents shot 54.1 effective, 12th, so the Bucks' volume from deep meets a defense that allowed an average number of good looks.

Milwaukee lost games at the other end. Its defensive rating of 117.4 was 27th, and Philadelphia's offense, at 112.9, was 17th. The 76ers shot 53 effective, 26th, so they lean on ball security: only five teams turned it over less.

The Bucks also gave possessions away. Their offensive rebounding rate of 21.1 was the league's lowest and their turnover rate of 13.3 ranked 28th, extra chances for a 76ers team that forces turnovers at the ninth-best rate.

Jaylen Brown led Philadelphia at 28.7 points a game last season. LeBron James averaged 7.2 assists and is questionable. For Milwaukee, Tyler Herro scored 20.5 points and made 91.7% of his free throws, and Ryan Rollins averaged 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals.

James tops the 76ers' injury report. Dean Wade is also questionable. Dominick Barlow, who has averaged 23.7 minutes, is out, as are two other players.

Milwaukee has lost both games this season, 132-125 to Chicago at home and 128-116 at Washington. Philadelphia has won both, 114-106 over Cleveland and 106-100 at New York.

Sportsbook prices give the 76ers an 83% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, puts it at 79%.