The Orlando Magic will visit the Milwaukee Bucks tonight in the first of four quarterfinal matchups in the NBA Cup bracket with tip set for 7 p.m. ET on TNT at the Fiserv Forum.
Orlando comes in with multiple injuries to key players, which is why I like Milwaukee at home in my Magic vs. Bucks predictions.
Learn more about how I’m looking to bet on this tournament matchup in my free NBA picks for Tuesday, December 10.
Magic vs Bucks prediction
My best bet
Bucks -7 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Orlando Magic have been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference this year, and they will be a force to be reckoned with when the playoffs come around. That’s assuming Orlando gets healthy, of course, as injuries have it as only a shell of itself.
Heading into tonight’s game, the Magic are without both Paolo Banchero (29.0 ppg) and Franz Wagner (24.4 ppg). Banchero is out with a torn oblique, while Wagner — also with a torn oblique — won’t be reevaluated until January. Between the two of them, that’s 53.4 points of offense that Orlando is struggling to replace each game.
The Magic have gotten by to some extent on the strength of their defense, which is third in the NBA in defensive rating (105.7) and allows a league-low 103.3 ppg. But recent road losses to the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers show this team is far more vulnerable than when it was mowing down the competition with Wagner in the lineup, who could at least adequately cover for Banchero's absence.
Orlando faces off against a Milwaukee Bucks team with a misleading 12-11 record. The Bucks were off to a 2-8 start but have since won 10 of 13 and rattled off a seven-game winning streak last month. Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.5 ppg) and Damian Lillard (25.7 ppg) are firing on all cylinders, overcoming the chemistry issues that seemed to plague the duo in the early weeks of the season.
Since then, we’ve watched the Bucks put together several complete, 48-minute performances when they look like an elite team that can compete for a title. Giannis is putting up MVP-caliber numbers, also averaging 11.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. And with Khris Middleton finally back in the lineup after missing the first couple of months, Milwaukee is healthier than ever and ready to push itself well off the play-in bubble.
If Orlando were healthy, this would be an exciting NBA Cup quarterfinal between two teams that have the talent to win the tournament. Instead, we have a surging Bucks team facing an ailing Magic squad that doesn’t have the weapons to compete.
Magic vs Bucks same-game parlay
Bucks -6.5
Over 214.5
Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 30.5 points
Along with taking the Bucks to cover, I’ll also take the Over at a modest total of 214.5 points.
These teams may not play quickly — especially Orlando, which is among the slower-paced teams in the NBA — but Milwaukee has played above this total in each of their last five games, and the Bucks should score enough to push this game to the Over.
Leading that charge will be Antetokounmpo, who won’t face much resistance with Banchero and (to a lesser extent) Wagner out of the lineup. Giannis has scored at least 31 points in six of his last six games and should run wild at home against the Magic tonight.
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Magic vs Bucks odds
Magic vs Bucks live odds
Magic vs Bucks opening odds
- Spread: Orlando +8 (-110) | Milwaukee -8 (-110)
- Moneyline: Orlando +275 | Milwaukee -350
- Over/Under: Over 213.5 (-110) | Under 213.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Magic vs Bucks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Magic are 15-11 against the spread, while the Bucks have gone 9-13-1 ATS.
- These teams played four times last season, with Orlando going 3-1 ATS.
- The Under is 14-12 in Orlando’s games and also has the 13-10 edge when Milwaukee plays.
- The Bucks are playing to an average total of 225.8 ppg, with the Magic averaging a total of 110.9 ppg.
Magic vs Bucks trend
Orlando is 0-3 ATS in its last three road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Bucks.
How to watch Magic vs Bucks
| Location: | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI |
| Date: | Tuesday, 12-10-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Magic vs Bucks latest injuries
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