Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI

When: Saturday, February 9th, at 9:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Wisconsin | FM 96.9 The Game

Orlando Magic (Away)

Head Coach: Steve Clifford {All-Time 218-246 | CHA, ORL}

The Orlando Magic are slowly but surely gaining on the Pistons and Heat for with in the Eastern Conference. Sporting a record of 23-32 it is a long shot for the Magic to make the playoffs, but it’s not impossible.

If the Magic want to make the top eight they need to stamp out the inconsistency. They are 4-6 in their last ten with a -3.0 point differential. After strong wins against the Pacers and Nets they dropped two games to the Thunder and Timberwolves to undo their progress.

The Magic will be in for a tough night when they take on the Greek Freak and the rest of the Bucks. The Bucks are on a tear offensively; if the Magic can’t keep up with the Bucks attack they may be in for a rough game.

Milwaukee Bucks (Home)

Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer {All-Time 253-210 | ATL, MIL}

The Milwaukee Bucks are sitting comfortably in first place in the Eastern Conference and NBA. With a record of 40-13 they are actually matched by the Toronto Raptors in wins but have the edge in the losses column.

The Bucks have been brilliant as of late. They are 9-1 in their last ten with a +10.2 point differential. Most recently they had a stellar performance against the Washington Wizards where finished 148-129 and scored 50 points in the first quarter alone.

The Magic should present no problem to the Milwaukee Bucks and they may very well dive deep into their bench in order to not risk their two All-Stars. Regardless the Magic have athletic defenders and some capable shooters so it won’t be all easy for the Bucks.

What’s At Stake?

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic have played a relatively even series in the history of their respective franchises. In the all-time series the Milwaukee Bucks lead the Orlando Magic 57-52.

A win for the Bucks would build on their standing of first in the Eastern Conference.

A win for the Magic would put them ahead of the Washington Wizards and place them tenth in the Eastern Conference.

Questions to answer

Did the Orlando Magic make the right gamble on Fultz?

What does Mitotic add to the Bucks?

We are going to compare the Orlando Magic and the Milwaukee Bucks in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

The Magic Sent Jonathan Simmons and Picks to Philly for Fultz

The Orlando Magic took an absolute flyer at the end of the NBA Trade Deadline. With hours to spare GM Jeff Weltman traded marquee signee Jonathan Simmons to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for questionably healthy point guard Markelle Fultz.

This move for the Magic is a flyer to say the least. It is certainly a low-risk high reward move for the Magic, who didn’t receive the production they needed out of Jonathan Simmons since acquiring him two seasons ago.

At the moment the Magic have only Jerian Grant and veteran DJ Augustin manning the point guard position. Considering their age and ceiling, the acquisition of Fultz is surely look to the future. If Fultz can overcome his health issues he may very well take on the fantastic form he’s showed in limited opportunities. If not, the Magic will be in for another rebuilding process.

Mirotic Adds to the Bucks Stable of Shooters

The Milwaukee Bucks made an absolute splash at the trade deadline when they were able to acquire much-coveted shooter Nikola Mitotic from the New Orleans Pelicans.

The toll wasn’t high for the Milwaukee Bucks as they only had to sacrifice little used centre Jason Smith in what was a three-team deal. On the other hand, the Bucks did have to sacrifice four future second round picks in order to acquire Mitotic.

Mitotic was having a renaissance of a season in New Orleans. Once it was decided that the Pelicans’ season was lost, Mirotic became a hot commodity. Already a hot-shooting NBA team – the Bucks are second in three-point attempts and makes – Mirotic’s 37% shooting from three makes the Pelicans a threat from three second only to the Warriors.

Orlando Magic Roster Notes

C Mohamed Bamba – 5 Feb 2019 – Out (Left Tibia Fracture) – The Magic announced Bamba has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left tibia and will be out indefinitely.

C Timofey Mozgov – 5 Feb 2019 – Out (Knee) – The Magic announced that Mozgov had surgery on his right knee. There is no timetable for his return.

Milwaukee Bucks Roster Notes

G Donte DiVincenzo – 6 Feb 2019 – Day To Day (Bilateral Heel Bursitis) – DiVincenzo did not play in Wednesday’s (Feb 6) game.

Head-to-Head: Terrence Ross vs Khris Middleton

Terrence Ross

Small Forward | 6-7, 206lb (201cm, 93kg) | Washington | Exp. 6 Years

14.4 PPG | 1.5 APG | 3.3 RPG | 1.0 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 1.0 TOV | .431 FG% | .377 3P%

Khris Middleton

Small Forward | 6-8, 222lb (203cm, 100kg) | Texas A&M | Exp. 6 Years

17.3 PPG | 4.2 APG | 5.8 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.1 BPG | 2.3 TOV | .441 FG% | .380 3P%

Two dangerous wing players, Terrence Ross and Khris Middleton face off when the Magic and the Bucks meet again. While both players have excellent shooting range, both will also have the task of limiting the other from getting their respective offence off.

Terrence Ross was a candidate to be moved late into the NBA’s trade deadline. In the end GM Jeff Weltman must have felt confident enough in their ability to compete for the final playoff spot so as to keep Ross. Ross is a 3-and-D threat with fantastic athletic ability. Ross drives the Magic offence off the bench so if he can’t find his range it’ll be a tough night for the Magic.

First-time All-Star Khris Middleton is a quiet leader for the Bucks. While Antetokounmpo gets the clout, Middleton does the dirty work. He defends the oppositions toughest players and converts on open shots at a high rate. Middleton’s game is predicated on hard work as shown by the fact that he is the first G-League Alumnus to be named an All-Star.

Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Milwaukee Bucks favoured over the Orlando Magic by 11.5, with an over/under of 109.