BetMGM Host Olivia Harlan Dekker joins Cheddar Bets to break down tonight's big Bucks-76ers matchup -- likely Philly's last game without James Harden.

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it is the last night of N. B. A. Action before All star weekend and we're kicking things off by diving deep into the biggest game of the night. Let's welcome in Bet mgm. Host Olivia, Harlan Dekker to break it all down Olivia. I'm so excited to finally be able to talk hoops with you for a change. This is nice. That's right. I know. Here we are. I can't believe it. Absolutely. Okay, so sixers traveled to Milwaukee as 6.5 point dogs, who is winning tonight? You think? I think it's a big bounce back game for the 76 ers from the worst loss of the season. And this kicks off a three game road trip that straddles the All Star break. So it's important to get off on the right note. The 48 point loss at home to the Celtics after that big trade not great, but this game in Milwaukee is supposed to be their last without James Harden. I'm so excited to see how that impacts the the whole team and I think the 76ers here win by 6.5, Milwaukee hasn't been great defensively and they're battling a ton of injuries. Connaughton Brook Lopez George Hill. They're all out. Grace and Allen is doubtful. So this is a perfect get back spot for Philly right before the break. Perfect timing. I know we're all waiting for after the break, but Philly is in a bit of a transitional phase now following the deadline plus they're coming off the staggering 48-point home loss to the Celtics on Tuesday. Like you mentioned. How do you believe they changed their on court strategy tonight to make it happen? Well, like I mentioned, I think it's more of what the Bucks won't be able to do defensively. They've been totally slipping and they're so banged up. So I think if, if the sixers are trying to make a big push here right before the break, although it is very distracting. I've covered NBA teams, my husband played in the N. B. A. And I know these last couple games, it's really hard to stay focused. They've got to there only a game behind the box. So who wins the match up, Joel? Embiid or Janice? And which product do you feel is a lock to go over? Well remember Janice is fresh off a 50 piece Tuesday night, that game, he was coming off a sore ankle is so impressive. So how do you compete with that? He's been productive at the free throw line. He's looking very confident. So I like Janna santa to compose over 29 a half points as more of a lock over Joel's 31 a half Janice Remember has put up 52 on Joel on the sixers before. I'm not sure if he does it again, but he can certainly score on him. And actually, as I look more at their meetings, head to head, Janice dominates in everything they have faced off nine times, all regular season meetings, Janice has won six of those and outscored him by an average of seven points. He's out rebounded, Joel by an average of three more assists, more steals. He's got this game circle. Believe me. So Embiid, Janice and Yokich are the three early favorites for M. V. P. At the All Star break. But is there a dark horse candidate that can sneak into the conversation you think, well, I don't know about a dark horse right now. Again, everything takes shape after all star break. But I do like Embiid here M. V. P. Fatigue is a real thing. It really happens as people want to see a new face, a new person win it, Janice has won it. You just want it. Neither is doing anything to necessarily lose it. They're playing incredible. But I just think Joel is shining the brightest right now. He's been playing incredible over the last month. He averages over 30 points per game in 13 boards. That's just in February double doubles in almost every game and has really been a consistent leader through all this drama. That's not to be overlooked. What I really like in his game right now now though is he's scoring at a career high without having to sacrifice in other ways. His volume and efficiency. They're both going up and his turnover rate is at an all time low. So I know he's the favorite but it's with good reason and I think the addition of hardened will only make him better. Yeah. I mean speaking of hard and we're all talking about what's going to happen after the break and we really were not going to know until after the all star break. But how do you think James Harden will impact the embiid that we now all know on the hardwood? Well again my husband played with James Harden in Houston and he always said he just makes everyone better. Uh the way he sees the floor, the way he can pass, get the ball to you distribute without even looking or making it obvious he's so smooth. His court awareness is incredible. I also think there's something to be said about a vet about someone who when things are good, there's no drama and the Sixers have had to deal with a lot of drama this year. So if anything I think James Harden just brings a veteran presence. I think he's really happy to be reunited with Daryl Morey as well. So we know James Harden is a six for now although he will not play tonight. The bucks are favorites to win the east at plus 2 75 and the sixers have the third best odds at plus 3 25 who would you put your money on today? I'm gonna put my money on the bucks. They've already been there and they've added even more depth, they've added serge Ibaka which will help upfront their potential so high and obviously hasn't been reached yet and Johannes is playing better than ever again. I know it's kind of controversial because I think they lose tonight and I think Joel might win M. V. P. But Janice is playing better than ever. The bucks are going to get healthy at the right time and make a long postseason run after this break. But right now they're neck and neck sixers just one game behind Milwaukee. So again, I like the sixers tonight by 6.5. Well the last one for you Olivia, let's parlay it out for the hoops heads at home. You've built a one game parlay for tonight's game. Yes. Okay. And this one bed MGM is promoting, I love it. It's for the game over at 2 23.5 and then both Joel and honest have over 30 points. That's an amazing value plus 3 25. It obviously implies an offensive showdown which I'm expecting. I think that'd be amazing and very possible given that it's the last game before all star break. The bucks have shown those defensive lapses like I've mentioned and I'm not saying players are checked out but the defense might not be a stalwart. Believe me from experience. A lot of these players have flights booked to Mexico after the game tonight. So I think we're going to see a great shooting performance and maybe a little bit less defense totally don't blame them for that one Olivia, thank you so much for joining us. That was Bet MGM host Olivia Harlan Dekker. New customers can place a $10 money line wager on any pro basketball game and get $200 in free bets. When either team hits a three pointer, use bonus code cheddar. There is nothing like a bet MGM Wynn and remember you can place your wages on Bet MGM in any of these states and if you don't see your state listed here just yet, it will be very soon that MGM is working every day to bring mobile sports betting to fans all across the country.