- Orlando held off the Suns at home on Sunday, winning 115-110 and improving to 17-9.
- The Bucks climbed to 10-3 for the past month following their 118-113 win over the Nets.
- These two teams last met back on April 14, in a game that the Magic dominated, 113-88.
The 2024 NBA Cup has reached the elimination stage! In the Eastern Conference, Orlando and Milwaukee face off in a clash between two red-hot teams. Our Magic vs Bucks prediction sees the home team winning this one.
Magic Curse Their Fortunes and Obliques
The Magic are 13-3 in their last sixteen games, despite being without superstar Paolo Banchero, who continues to rehab an oblique injury. Franz Wagner had picked up the slack and then some, posting a 26/6/6 in November and December. Unfortunately, the oblique bug bit again. Wagner suffered an eerily similar injury to Banchero. With both superstars out, Orlando will be relying on their defense to smother the Bucks and keep the score low.
Bucks are Finally Returning to Form
The Bucks went 2-8 in their first ten games of the season, which raised all sorts of alarms. However, things have calmed down since then, as Milwaukee holds a 10-3 record since their rocky start. They went 7-0 on their home court during that span. With this game also coming at home, the Bucks will aim to remain consistent on both sides of the floor. Their improved defense has made a difference, but their offense is still up-and-down.
Magic vs Bucks Prediction: Orlando Runs Out of Magic
Having won seven games in a row at home, the Bucks hold a notable advantage in this game. Even more notable is the absence of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. While the Magic will be a brand-new team when the calendar flips to 2025, the odds are against them in this game. I do expect Orlando to test the Bucks defensively, keeping the score low. Ultimately, look for the Bucks to pull away and win this game, 111-98.
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