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After an exciting group stage round, the 2024 NBA Emirates Cup Quarterfinals begin on Tuesday! One of the first-round matchups includes an Orlando Magic (17-9) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (12-11) showdown at 7 p.m. on TNT and everything important about the game — from the last NBA odds to attractive betting options — can be found in this preview.
We ended last week on a high note, so let’s keep the ball rolling tonight!
Here’s a look at my Magic vs. Bucks NBA Cup predictions and picks.
All NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 12:05 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.
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A ticket to the NBA Emirates Cup Semifinals is on the line when the Magic and Bucks collide at Fiserv Forum tonight.
The Magic have been one of the hottest teams lately, improving to 14-3 SU in their last 17 games with Sunday’s 115-110 win over the Phoenix Suns. Jalen Suggs picked up the slack for his injury-riddled team as he scored a game-high 26 points while playing 31 minutes on the floor.
That win was at home, though, and tonight the Magic are back on the road, where they’ve lost two of their last three away games. Additionally, Orlando is an abysmal 0-8 SU with a minus-15.6 average scoring margin on their last eight trips to Fiserv Forum.
Speaking of which, the Bucks are 7-1 SU across their last eight home games as they return to Milwaukee following a 118-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets two nights ago. Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated with another double-double (34 points, 11 rebounds) while Bobby Portis looked impressive by going 5-of-5 from the three-point line.
Does Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo have another strong performance in store for tonight?
Offensively, the edge goes to the Bucks tonight as they average 113.4 points (14th) while shooting 48.3% from the field (8th) and 39.4% from deep (3rd). For comparison, the Magic only average 107.6 PPG (26th) with a 45.2 FG% (23rd) and 31.1 3P% (30th).
On the flip side, Orlando is the better defensive team, allowing an NBA-low 103.3 PPG whereas the Bucks surrender 112.4 PPG (13th).
The Magic’s reliable defensive play has helped them cover the spread in 13 of their last 17 outings, as well as in nine of their 12 previous Eastern Conference games. Having said that, Orlando is an abysmal 6-12 ATS in its last 18 meetings with Milwaukee.
Whether or not the Magic can keep things close will depend on their lineup’s health. In addition to Paolo Banchero (oblique) and Franz Wagner (oblique) being sidelined for the foreseeable future, Gary Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out while Jonathan Isaac (hamstring) could be a game-time decision.
As for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo (knee), Khris Middleton (ankle), and MarJon Beauchamp (hamstring) are all banged up but ‘probable’ to play. Meanwhile, Chris Livingston won’t be suiting up due to an ankle injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is expected to play for the Bucks tonight.
Considering the Magic’s injury situation, it’s a no-brainer to side with the Bucks tonight. Not only are the healthier team at the moment, but the Bucks have also dominated the Magic for years and will have the Fiserv Forum fans on their side to help keep that trend going. Keeping things close will only be tougher for Orlando without its two best players.
For the best bet, I like the Under tonight. These teams are used to low-scoring affairs as the Under is 13-7 in the Magic’s last 20 games and 7-5 at Fiserv Forum this season. The last four Magic-Bucks matchups also only averaged 214.5 PPG and I can see this game finishing below that number due to Orlando’s missing bodies.
With both sides looking to play mistake-free basketball due to it being the NBA Cup quarterfinals, I expect a low-scoring game in Milwaukee.
I like Khris Middleton o10.5 points (-117) for tonight’s best Magic vs. Bucks NBA player prop bet.
Middleton has played to mixed results since his return to action, averaging 11.0 points while shooting 27.8% from the floor and 33.3% from deep. While that is far from the best performance, the 33-year-old veteran did record the Over on this prop on each of those occasions and I think he can make it three games in a row if he keeps averaging 9.0 field-goal attempts per game.
The Over is also 13-2 in Middleton’s last 15 games against the Magic — a stretch where he’s averaging 16.6 PPG. After finishing with 11-plus points in five straight home games vs. Orlando, I see the Over hitting again tonight.
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