by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Dec 04, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Where to watch: BSFL, BSWI
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bucks -8.5
FanDuel: NL
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Bucks -8.5
Season record
Bucks: 16-6
Magic: 5-19
Well, if you’ve never seen a balanced NBA season to this point, you’re in for some craziness along the way. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. The last 30 days have seen our champion handicappers cashing in a great deal. Look at Brian Bitler going 80-55-0 in the last 30 days, a run of $18,800 net profit. How about ASA, Inc.? He’s on a 55-41-2 run the last 30 days. You know where to go for your best analysis. As the season progresses, you know we're going to be in a position to deliver you the best analysis and picks that one can have in this market. Make sure you check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find all of our handicappers' selections, comprehensive previews, and more!
Bucks - Magic preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Bucks: won 105-95 at Hornets on Saturday
Magic: lost 8 straight; lost 121-108 at Raptors on Saturday
Bucks analysis
The Milwaukee Bucks are as healthy as they’ve been in a long time, and when this group is at, or near, 100 percent, we’re reminded why they won the NBA title a couple of years ago. Milwaukee is currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 16-6 record, good for second in the NBA and it’s all because of defense. The Bucks are giving up the third fewest points per game while having a middle-of-the-pack offense.
But when talking about the Bucks, of course it starts and ends with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP, making a strong case for a third, is off to a tremendous start. He’s one of seven players in the league right now to average 30 points per game at 31.8 while grabbing a shade over 11 rebounds a game. Giannis didn’t play on Saturday in Milwaukee’s 105-95 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Milwaukee got a balanced effort from the starters led by 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists from Bobby Portis. Jordan Nwors finished with 17 points, while Brook Lopez had six blocks against the banged-up Hornets.
It wasn’t just Giannis the Bucks didn’t have. Jrue Hoilday and the newly-returned Khris Middleton also sat out Saturday’s win and should all be back in the lineup for Monday against the Magic.
The only team ahead of Milwaukee right now is the Boston Celtics, and we know eventually we’re going to be on a collision course with those two meeting down the line. Milwaukee wasn’t at full health last year when losing in 7 games to the Celtics. If this team stays healthy, there aren’t many that can hang with the Bucks.
Magic analysis
Things were looking promising for the Orlando Magic. Then, as it seems to be every year, injuries killed the progress and Orlando finds itself back at the bottom of the standings. Eight straight losses, and you can see where the problem is. The Magic have put up just 103.9 points per game during this stretch. If this were the early 2000s, they’d be commended for it. But Orlando is giving up 117.4 during this run.
The Magic have a lot to be excited about, however. They have the likely Rookie of the Year in Paolo Banchero, who has been great since Game 1 of this season. He missed seven games due to injury, but since returning he’s done his best to put Orlando on his back by averaging 18.7 points per game on 46% shooting. The rebounds (3.2) are a tad low, but again, the injuries have limited the playmakers around him.
Jalen Suggs, their top facilitator, is out due to an injured ankle. Wendell Carter, their top rebounder outside of Bol Bol, is also out. Gary Harris and Mo Bamba, too. It’s hard to garner some momentum when literally everyone from your starting five to the next couple off the bench is hurt. Paolo might as well be left off an island.
Prediction
This doesn’t seem like it’ll be a promising game for the Magic. Milwaukee’s defense has been suffocating all year long and when they turn turnovers into buckets, it’s going to be a long day for the home team. Some books have the Bucks laying 8.5 and that seems like a good number to roll with. Bucks by 14
Betting trends
Bucks are 24-10 ATS as a road favorite the last 2 seasons.
Bucks are 50-30 ATS as a road favorite between 6.5 and 12 since 1996.
Magic are 7-18 ATS at home off a road loss by 10 points or more the last 3 seasons.
Bucks are 50-30 ATS as a road favorite between 6.5 and 12 since 1996.
Magic are 7-18 ATS at home off a road loss by 10 points or more the last 3 seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Bucks:
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Magic:
PG: Markelle Fultz
SG: Franz Wagner
SF: Paolo Banchero
PF: Bol Bol
C: Moritz Wagner
Key Injuries
Bucks: Serge Ibaka (illness, out), Joe Ingles (knee, out)
Magic: Jalen Suggs (ankle, out), Gary Harris (hamstring, out), Mo Bamba (back, out), Chuma Okeke (knee, out), Wendell Carter Jr. (foot, out), Jonathan Isaac (hamstring, out)
Statistical leaders
Bucks:
Points: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 31.8
Rebounds: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 11.2
Assists: Jrue Holiday – 7.4
Magic:
Points: Paolo Banchero – 21.8
Rebounds: Bol Bol – 7.5
Assists: Jalen Suggs – 5.4
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Milwaukee Bucks - Orlando Magic prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
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.
