Magic vs. Bucks: 3 Best Bets to Snap Losing Streak

The Orlando Magic has lost three straight games, the longest losing streak of the season so far. After peaking at second in the Eastern Conference, losses to the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat have forced Orlando into the fourth spot.

Tonight, the team has a chance to bounce back as it faces the mighty Milwaukee Bucks, who have risen to second in the conference. Milwaukee has won five straight games, but three of those were against the Bulls, Spurs, and Pistons, so they haven’t been tested too much recently. The red-hot Bucks will be without Jae Crowder, while Orlando is not playing Markelle Fultz or Kevon Harris.

Milwaukee’s defense took a hit this offseason after they elected to trade Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, but the sharpshooting guard has averaged 37.3 points on 53 percent shooting from deep over his last three games. Combine that with the defensive power of Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and it’s no wonder that the Bucks are the heavy favorite.

Despite Orlando being the underdog, check out the lines and spreads below, courtesy of SI Sportsbook, and our three best bets.

The Lines

Point spread: Bucks -8.5 (-110)/Magic +8.5 (-118)

Moneyline: Bucks (-400)/Magic (+290)

Over/under: 237.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Paolo Banchero OVER 6.5 rebounds (-133)

Paolo Banchero has finished above this line in five of his last eight outings, including in last night’s loss to Miami where starting center Wendell Carter Jr. made his return from injury. The Bucks are the 14th-best rebounding team in the league, so it’s not like Banchero will have a lot of competition down low. That being said, the Bucks are one of the most efficient shooting teams in the league, so he will have to make the most of the chances he gets to secure the ball.

Opponent pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 1.5 blocks (+155)

Antetokounmpo averages 1.2 blocks per game this season and only has two total over his last five games, but the Magic refuse to shoot from deep. They are 29th in the league in attempts from distance and only make 10.2 per game, so they will continue to attack the paint. With ample opportunity to record multiple blocks, Giannis will show why he has made five All-Defensive teams and will protect the rim.

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Team pick: OVER 237.5 points (-110)

Orlando has one of the league’s best defenses and worst scoring offenses, and Milwaukee is basically the inverse of that. However, the Bucks’ offense is multi-faceted and made up of experienced players all in their prime. Orlando simply won’t be able to keep up with them on the defensive end and will be playing catch-up all night, which means a lot of shots go up, and some of them fall. Expect a lot of points from both teams.