Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions January 15th 2025

Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic January 15th 2025

At 8:00 ET, the Orlando Magic (23-18) will travel to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (21-17) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Bucks are favored by 6 points and the over/under line is currently sitting at 211 points.

This Eastern Conference matchup will be televised on FDSW.

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Magic vs. Bucks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks
• Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
• Date: Wednesday, January 15th
• Betting Odds MIL -6, ORL +183 | MIL -227 O/U 211

The Magic Can Win If…

The Magic improved to 23-18 this season with a 104-99 win over the 76ers on Sunday. Orlando was favored by two points and covered the spread, while the total score of 203 points fell short of the 207.5-point line.

Orlando trailed 77-73 going into the 4th quarter but outscored Philadelphia 31-22 in the final period to secure the win.

Cole Anthony led the Magic to a win over the 76ers with 27 points, including 11 in the 1st quarter. He shot 64.7% from the field, while the Magic as a team hit 48.8% of their shots.

Orlando struggled from three, making just 7 threes at a 23.3% rate. Jonathan Isaac and Paolo Banchero each scored 20 points, with Isaac adding 13 in the 4th quarter.

Defensively, the Magic held the 76ers to 99 points, giving up 21 in the 1st quarter and 22 in the 4th. Philadelphia shot 45% from the field.

Orlando allowed 12 threes on 41% shooting and sent the 76ers to the line 22 times, where they made 21. The Magic grabbed 29 defensive rebounds, gave up 3 offensive boards, and recorded 10 steals and 9 blocks.

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Orlando has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 101 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
• Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Magic have a strong record vs the spread going 2-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-2.
• Over their last five games, the Magic have an over/under record of 1-4 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Bucks Can Win If…

The Bucks improved to 21-17 on the season after a 130-115 win over the Kings on Tuesday. Milwaukee, favored by 2 points, covered the spread at home. The total score of 245 points exceeded the over/under line of 227.5 by 17.5 points.

A 14-0 run early in the game helped the Bucks take control, as they extended their lead from 26-17 to 40-17. The Kings managed to keep pace in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but Milwaukee’s 102-82 lead heading into the 4th was enough to withstand a late push from Sacramento.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double of 33 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds on 60.9% shooting led the Bucks to a win over the Kings, with 15 of his points coming in the 1st quarter. Damian Lillard added 24 points, hitting 5 threes at 62.5% efficiency, with 10 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters.

Brook Lopez contributed 21 points, and AJ Green chipped in 16, including 6 points in the 3rd quarter. The Bucks made 17 threes, shooting 37.8% from deep and 49.5% overall from the field.

Defensively, the Bucks gave up 115 points to the Kings but still managed to secure the win. They allowed 26 points in the 1st quarter, followed by 28 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and 33 points in the 4th. Milwaukee held Sacramento to 44% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Bucks struggled, giving up 17 three-pointers on 40% shooting. They sent the Kings to the line 18 times, where Sacramento made 14 free throws. Milwaukee finished with 41 defensive rebounds, allowing 9 offensive boards, and recorded 2 steals and 4 blocks.

• In their last five games at home, the Bucks have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team averaged 114 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Bucks have a straight up record of 6-4 and an ATS mark of 5-5.
• In their last five games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Bucks to secure the win, with an expected final score of 140-86. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -6.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 211 and our model has the Magic and Bucks finishing with a combined 226 points. Our pick is to take the over.

The Best Expert NBA Handicappers

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks Look to Solve Magic Again in High-Stakes Matchup

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic are set to face off for the second time in less than a week, with Wednesday’s game in Milwaukee promising another thrilling chapter in this season’s rivalry. Both teams bring their unique narratives to the court, from Milwaukee’s star power to Orlando’s gritty determination, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.

Bucks Riding High After Dominant Win

The Bucks enter the game fresh off a commanding 130-115 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Milwaukee led comfortably for most of the contest, showcasing their offensive prowess and teamwork.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was the standout performer, notching his 50th career regular-season triple-double with 33 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. Damian Lillard added 24 points and 7 assists, further solidifying their dynamic partnership. However, head coach Doc Rivers highlighted the team’s inconsistency, saying:

“When they focus on passing and team play, they’re exceptional. But when they lack that cohesion, we’ve seen how vulnerable they can be.”

This self-awareness could play a crucial role in the Bucks’ strategy against Orlando, as they aim to maintain their rhythm despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Orlando Magic: Grit Over Glamour

The Magic are well-rested after a gutsy 104-99 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Despite being down to just eight players during the game, Orlando found a way to secure the victory, embodying their relentless identity.

Paolo Banchero, playing in just his second game back from injury, delivered a crucial 20 points, including seven clutch points in the final 1:32. Cole Anthony led the scoring effort with 27 points, proving to be a reliable leader in the absence of several key players.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley praised his team’s resilience:

“The Orlando Magic are gritty and relentless. That’s the identity we’re building, and they showed it by willing their way to victory.”

However, the team’s injury report remains a significant hurdle. Franz Wagner, the team’s leading scorer pre-injury, remains sidelined, along with Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs. Wagner, averaging 24.4 points and 5.7 assists this season, is progressing but isn’t ready to return just yet.

Key Matchup Preview

Milwaukee has already bested Orlando twice this season, including a close 109-106 victory last Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated that game with 41 points and 14 rebounds, while Damian Lillard contributed 29 points. On the Magic’s side, Paolo Banchero made a strong impression in his return, scoring 34 points.

Injuries Could Define the Game

Both teams are grappling with injuries that could significantly impact the outcome:

• Milwaukee: Khris Middleton (ankle) and Gary Trent Jr. (hip) missed Tuesday’s game, and their availability for Wednesday remains uncertain.
• Orlando: Alongside Wagner, Harris, and Suggs, additional players like Goga Bitadze (hip) and Jett Howard (ankle) are listed as questionable or doubtful.

These absences place added pressure on the remaining stars to deliver.

Basketball Betting Guide

Keys to Victory

For Milwaukee:

1. Sustain Offensive Flow: The Bucks need to maintain their passing and teamwork, as emphasized by Coach Rivers.
2. Manage Fatigue: Playing on consecutive nights demands strategic rotations to avoid burnout.
3. Capitalize on Depth: Even with injuries, Milwaukee’s bench has proven capable of stepping up.

For Orlando:

1. Leverage Rest Advantage: The Magic should push the tempo to exploit Milwaukee’s potential fatigue.
2. Stay Relentless: Continuing their gritty style of play can disrupt Milwaukee’s rhythm.
3. Step Up in Absence of Wagner: Players like Cole Anthony and Paolo Banchero must carry the offensive load.

Prediction and Outlook

The Bucks enter as favorites due to their recent dominance and superior star power, but the Magic’s resilience and rest advantage make them a formidable opponent. Milwaukee’s ability to overcome fatigue and maintain consistency will likely determine the outcome. If Orlando can replicate their gritty performance against Philadelphia and receive a standout showing from Banchero, an upset is possible.

Conclusion:

Wednesday’s game promises to be a compelling clash of styles: Milwaukee’s polished execution versus Orlando’s gritty determination. Fans can look forward to a competitive matchup as the Bucks aim to extend their win streak against a determined Magic squad.