Milwaukee is a stone-cold lock to pick up the Game 1 victory according to oddsmakers, who have the beasts of the East as an overwhelming -809 moneyline play Tuesday.
The Orlando Magic have exactly one thing going for them as they prepare to open their NBA Eastern Conference quarter-final series with Milwaukee: They won’t have to travel far once they’re eliminated. The Magic are the “hosts” for the duration of the playoffs – starting with Tuesday’s Game 1 – but that won’t provide much of an advantage as they find themselves as double-digit underdogs to a Bucks team that cruised to the best record in the East.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Milwaukee is a stone-cold lock to pick up the Game 1 victory according to oddsmakers, who have the beasts of the East as an overwhelming -809 moneyline play Tuesday. But the Bucks were only a semi-decent cover play during the season, going 39-34 ATS – and they went just 3-6 ATS in nine neutral-site games. The Magic were just 35-36-2 against the spread for the season, and split their eight neutral-site contests ATS in the regular-season restart.
The large spread hasn’t deterred Sports Interaction participants, who are 63 percent in favor of the Bucks ATS. An even larger contingent – 67 percent, to be exact – are leaning into the Over on the total of 225. Milwaukee went 35-37-1 O/U for the season and was 19-24-1 O/U against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando was a much stronger Over play at 38-32-3 O/U during the regular season, but went just 18-23-2 O/U vs. the East.
Orlando Magic
The Magic can’t be feeling overly confident heading into Game 1. They dropped five straight games before finally putting out a six-point win over an undermanned New Orleans team to finish off their regular-season schedule. And they fared miserably against the East’s No. 1 seed during the 2019-20 campaign, losing all four head-to-head meetings by nine or more points. Four Orlando players averaged 13+ points vs. Milwaukee, led by Evan Fournier (20.5).
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks believe it’s their year to reach the NBA Finals – and that quest starts with eliminating a Magic team that is installed at +1500 to pull off the series upset. A Milwaukee sweep is set at +110, which tells you everything you need to know about Orlando’s chances. And expect plenty of action on those Giannis Antetokounmpo player props; the standout forward averaged 26.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists in three regular-season meetings with the Magic.
Who Will Win Magic vs. Bucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 14 Aug 12:37pm | ORL | -1.5 -110 | O +165.5 -137 |
| Closing 18 Aug 5:07pm | ORL | -14 -110 | O +225.5 -110 |
Injuries
Vic Law (SF)
Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG)
Mo Bamba (C)
Terrence Ross (SG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Michael Carter-Williams (PG)
James Ennis III (SF)
Jonathan Isaac (PF)
Aaron Gordon (PF)
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vic Law (SF) | Prob Sat | Achilles - 24 / 08 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Law is battling a sore left Achilles, but it is likely that he will be available against the Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG) | Prob Sat | Back - 22 / 08 / 20 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Frazier is bothered by lower-back soreness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Mo Bamba (C) | out for season | Illness - 11 / 08 / 20 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Bamba will miss the remainder of the season and will undergo a complete post-COVID-19 evaluation. |
|||||
| Terrence Ross (SG) | Prob Tues | Personal - 10 / 08 / 20 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Ross has returned to the team but still has to pass quarantine. It is anticipated that he will be available against the Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Tues | Illness - 09 / 08 / 20 | 3-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Fournier is fighting off a non-COVID-19 illness, but team officials expect that he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | out for season | Hamstring - 05 / 08 / 20 | 3-7 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Gordon is likely to miss the remainder of the season after leaving the NBA bubble to get treatment for his strained left hamstring. |
|||||
| Michael Carter-Williams (PG) | Out indefinitely | Foot - 04 / 08 / 20 | 4-7 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Carter-Williams is sidelined with a left foot strain, and there is no timetable for recovery. |
|||||
| James Ennis III (SF) | Prob Wed | Finger - 04 / 08 / 20 | 4-7 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Ennis III has a dislocated finger, but he is likely to be in Wednesday's lineup against the Raptors. |
|||||
| Jonathan Isaac (PF) | out for season | Knee - 02 / 08 / 20 | 5-7 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Isaac will be shut down for the remainder of the season after undergoing left knee surgery to repair a torn ACL and a meniscus tear. |
|||||
| Aaron Gordon (PF) | Prob Fri | Groin - 27 / 07 / 20 | 5-7 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Gordon is nursing mild soreness in his left groin, but it is not expected to impede his status for Friday's tilt with the Nets. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Wed | Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat. |
|||||
| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury. |
|||||
| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 | 3-3 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
|||||
| George Hill (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 | 5-5 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
|||||
| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Ques Sat | Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Donte DiVincenzo (SG) | Prob Thurs | Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
|||||
| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
|||||
| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 | 6-9 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Ques Thurs | Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-9 | 10-7 | + - |
|
Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 14 Aug 12:37pm ORL -1.5 -110 O +165.5 -137 Closing 18 Aug 5:07pm ORL -14 -110 O +225.5 -110 -
Injuries
Vic Law (SF)
Prob Sat Achilles - 24 / 08 / 20Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG)
Prob Sat Back - 22 / 08 / 20Mo Bamba (C)
out for season Illness - 11 / 08 / 20Terrence Ross (SG)
Prob Tues Personal - 10 / 08 / 20Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Tues Illness - 09 / 08 / 20Aaron Gordon (PF)
out for season Hamstring - 05 / 08 / 20Michael Carter-Williams (PG)
Out indefinitely Foot - 04 / 08 / 20James Ennis III (SF)
Prob Wed Finger - 04 / 08 / 20Jonathan Isaac (PF)
out for season Knee - 02 / 08 / 20Aaron Gordon (PF)
Prob Fri Groin - 27 / 07 / 20Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20Brook Lopez (C)
Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Vic Law (SF) Prob Sat Achilles - 24 / 08 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Law is battling a sore left Achilles, but it is likely that he will be available against the Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Melvin Frazier Jr. (SG) Prob Sat Back - 22 / 08 / 20 0-3 2-1 + - Frazier is bothered by lower-back soreness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks.
Mo Bamba (C) out for season Illness - 11 / 08 / 20 3-4 5-2 + - Bamba will miss the remainder of the season and will undergo a complete post-COVID-19 evaluation.
Terrence Ross (SG) Prob Tues Personal - 10 / 08 / 20 3-4 5-2 + - Ross has returned to the team but still has to pass quarantine. It is anticipated that he will be available against the Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Tues Illness - 09 / 08 / 20 3-5 5-3 + - Fournier is fighting off a non-COVID-19 illness, but team officials expect that he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks.
Aaron Gordon (PF) out for season Hamstring - 05 / 08 / 20 3-7 6-4 + - Gordon is likely to miss the remainder of the season after leaving the NBA bubble to get treatment for his strained left hamstring.
Michael Carter-Williams (PG) Out indefinitely Foot - 04 / 08 / 20 4-7 7-4 + - Carter-Williams is sidelined with a left foot strain, and there is no timetable for recovery.
James Ennis III (SF) Prob Wed Finger - 04 / 08 / 20 4-7 7-4 + - Ennis III has a dislocated finger, but he is likely to be in Wednesday's lineup against the Raptors.
Jonathan Isaac (PF) out for season Knee - 02 / 08 / 20 5-7 8-4 + - Isaac will be shut down for the remainder of the season after undergoing left knee surgery to repair a torn ACL and a meniscus tear.
Aaron Gordon (PF) Prob Fri Groin - 27 / 07 / 20 5-7 8-4 + - Gordon is nursing mild soreness in his left groin, but it is not expected to impede his status for Friday's tilt with the Nets.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 3-3 4-3 + - Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
George Hill (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 5-5 6-5 + - Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG) Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 6-9 9-7 + - Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 7-9 10-7 + - Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat.