by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Dec 30, 2021
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Where to watch: Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Wisconsin
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bucks -12.5; O/U 216
BetMGM: Bucks -12.5; O/U 216.5
Caesars: Bucks -12.5; O/U 216
Season record
Bucks: 23-13 (3rd place, Eastern Conference)
Magic: 7-28 (14th place, Eastern Conference)
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Bucks - Magic preview and analysis
Recent form
Bucks: won four straight; won 127-110 at Magic on Tuesday
Magic: lost three straight
The Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic will meet for the second time in three days at Amway Center, and the result in the second will likely match the first.
The Bucks and Magic met on Tuesday in what resulted in a 127-110 win for the defending NBA champions. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, six rebounds and six assists in just 30 minutes, while Khris Middleton had 21 points and Jrue Holiday had 18 points to go with 10 assists.
"I think we did a great job of moving the ball and that's when it's fun to play," said Holiday. "That's definitely the way we want to be. When everybody is touching the ball, it's always good. When we do that, we're pretty good."
The Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic will meet for the second time in three days at Amway Center, and the result in the second will likely match the first.
The Bucks and Magic met on Tuesday in what resulted in a 127-110 win for the defending NBA champions. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, six rebounds and six assists in just 30 minutes, while Khris Middleton had 21 points and Jrue Holiday had 18 points to go with 10 assists.
"I think we did a great job of moving the ball and that's when it's fun to play," said Holiday. "That's definitely the way we want to be. When everybody is touching the ball, it's always good. When we do that, we're pretty good."
Milwaukee ran its winning streak to four games and its winning run against the Magic to 10 straight. Nine of those wins have come by double digits and the Bucks are 7-2-1 against the spread. In short, it's been domination.
And that's expected to be the case again in this matchup. The Magic, much like other teams in the league, are dealing with a myriad of injuries and players in health and safety protocol. That includes Orlando's young backcourt of Cole Anthony (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (fractured thumb).
The disappointing loss took away from an all-time rookie performance from Magic forward Franz Wagner, scoring 38 points on 12 of 20 shooting and going 10 of 10 from the free-throw line. Wagner is averaging 15.6 points on nearly 45 percent shooting.
"It's been tough, especially with having so many guys down," said Magic guard Gary Harris. "It's been a real fluid situation for us, not necessarily knowing what's going to happen each and every day. But just come into work and, like I said, control what you can control, trying to stay safe, stay healthy and try to win some games."
Orlando is 3-2 against the spread in its last five; this will be the Magic's third straight game of being double-digit underdogs. Milwaukee is 3-1 ATS in its last four and will be favored for its fifth straight game.
And that's expected to be the case again in this matchup. The Magic, much like other teams in the league, are dealing with a myriad of injuries and players in health and safety protocol. That includes Orlando's young backcourt of Cole Anthony (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (fractured thumb).
The disappointing loss took away from an all-time rookie performance from Magic forward Franz Wagner, scoring 38 points on 12 of 20 shooting and going 10 of 10 from the free-throw line. Wagner is averaging 15.6 points on nearly 45 percent shooting.
"It's been tough, especially with having so many guys down," said Magic guard Gary Harris. "It's been a real fluid situation for us, not necessarily knowing what's going to happen each and every day. But just come into work and, like I said, control what you can control, trying to stay safe, stay healthy and try to win some games."
Orlando is 3-2 against the spread in its last five; this will be the Magic's third straight game of being double-digit underdogs. Milwaukee is 3-1 ATS in its last four and will be favored for its fifth straight game.
Prediction
This shouldn't be an issue. With how depleted Orlando's roster is, despite seeing the Bucks for the second time this week, it's not going to be any different. Milwaukee runs away with this one and covers yet again. Bucks by 20
Betting trends
The Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last six after giving up 100 points or more their previous game.
The under is 4-1 in the Bucks' last five when scoring 125 or more their last game.
The under is 12-3 in the Magic's last 15 following an ATS loss.
The Magic is 2-11 ATS at home this season.
The Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last six after giving up 100 points or more their previous game.
The under is 4-1 in the Bucks' last five when scoring 125 or more their last game.
The under is 12-3 in the Magic's last 15 following an ATS loss.
The Magic is 2-11 ATS at home this season.
Projected starting lineup
Bucks:
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Khris Middleton
SF: Pat Connaughton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Bobby Portis
SF: Pat Connaughton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Bobby Portis
Magic:
PG: R.J. Hampton
SG: Gary Harris
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Robin Lopez
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Robin Lopez
Key injuries
Bucks: Brook Lopez (back surgery, out)
Magic: Cole Anthony (out), Jalen Suggs (thumb, out), Markelle Fultz (knee, out), Mo Bamba (COVID, out), Terrence Ross (COVID, out), Jonathan Isaac (out)
Magic: Cole Anthony (out), Jalen Suggs (thumb, out), Markelle Fultz (knee, out), Mo Bamba (COVID, out), Terrence Ross (COVID, out), Jonathan Isaac (out)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
