| Game Time | 7:00 pm EST |
| Orlando Magic Line | +8 |
| Milwaukee Bucks Line | -8 |
| Total | 213.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
In this first Eastern Conference Quarterfinal of the NBA Cup, the Milwaukee Bucks are hosting the Orlando Magic. The Bucks finished with a perfect 4-0 record in Group B of the East, while the Magic finished second in Group A with a 3-1 record. The Bucks bounced back after a small two-game losing streak, and are looking to keep it going today. The Magic are coming off some devastating news that their second star player, Franz Wagner will also be sidelined with an injury for almost a month, as Orlando is now forced to play without their two best players.
Below is a detailed analysis for Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks game.
Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report: No injuries
Orlando Magic Injury Report: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac and Garry Harris are out.
Milwaukee Bucks Form and Trends
The Bucks have a 12-11 record this season and are sitting on the 6th place of the West. Milwaukee is 9-13-1 against the spread and 10-13 in over/under. The Bucks have an 8-4 home record, but are 4-7-1 against the spread, with a +4.7-point differential. The Bucks are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
The Bucks are coming off a 118-113 win in Brooklyn, as they shot lights out from the field, with a whopping 57%. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee’s offense with 34 points and 11 boards.
Giannis leads the Bucks both in scoring with league-best 32.5 points and in rebounding with 11.6 per game, adding 6.2 assists per game. Damian Lillard adds 25.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and a team-high 7.5 assists.
Orlando Magic Recent Form and Trends
The Magic have a 17-9 record this season and are sitting on the third place of the East. The Magic are 15-11 against the spread and 12-14 in over/under. Orlando has a 7-9 road record, and 6-10 against the spread, with a -1.9-point differential. The Magic are 8-2 in their last 8 games but 1-3 against the spread in their last 4.
The Magic are coming off a 115-110 win over Phoenix, as they shot lightly better than the Suns from the field (48% to 47%), and were led in scoring by Jalen Suggs with 26 points and 4 rebounds.
Paolo Banchero leads the Magic both in scoring with 29 points, and in assists made with 5.6, adding 8.8 rebounds per game. Franz Wagner adds 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game but both are out with injuries.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Bucks average 113.4 points per game, which is 14th in the league. Milwaukee shoots with 48.3% from the field (7th) and 39.3% from beyond the arc, which is the third-best in the NBA. Defensively, they allow 112.4 points per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA.
Offensively, the Magic average 107.6 points per game, which is just 26th in the league. They shoot 45.2% from the field (23rd) and are dead last in 3-point percentage, with 31.1%. Defensively, they are the best team in the NBA, allowing 103.3 points per game.
The Bucks are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against the Magic, but Orlando is 3-1 against the spread in their last 4 meetings. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings.
Prediction
In this Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction, the Bucks are coming as home favorites. The Magic looked great in their first game without Franz Wagner, as they managed to win the Phoenix Suns at home, but they are now back on the road, where they haven’t been playing their best basketball of the season. The Bucks have been good in winning at home, but below average in covering, but I still trust them to get the job done. Orlando will have a huge issue in scoring without their two best players, while the Bucks are in full health and have one of the best duos in the NBA in Giannis and Dame Lillard. Take the Milwaukee Bucks and lay the points at home.
Nick’s Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -8