The Bucks had absolutely no answer for Nikola Vucevic, who erupted for 35 points on 15-of-24 shooting while adding 14 rebounds in Game 1.
Having one of the best basketball players on the planet will only take you so far if you don’t play good defence. That’s the lesson the Milwaukee Bucks learned in Game 1 of their first-round East playoff series with Orlando – and one they hope to carry over into Game 2 Thursday night at HP Field House. The Bucks entered Game 1 as double-digit favourites, and were promptly punched in the mouth as the Magic pulled off a 12-point upset victory.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Everyone is expecting the Eastern Conference’s top seed to bounce back – including the sportsbooks, who have the Bucks as a 12.5-point favourite for Game 2. Being a double-digit fave hasn’t worked out so well for those gambling on Milwaukee, with the Bucks having gone just 8-11 against the spread (ATS) with three straight-up losses since the start of the calendar year. Orlando, on the other hand, is 9-5-2 ATS in its last 16 games when receiving 10 or more points.
The line might be a bit too high for the betting majority, with 55 percent of Sports Interaction participants siding with the underdog Magic. The edge on the total is slightly larger, with 61 percent of bettors leaning toward the Over on the total of 227.5. And that might be due to the Magic’s lengthy totals trend, one that has seen them go 17-3 to the Over in their past 20 games. Milwaukee has also trended in that direction, going 5-2 O/U in its last seven.
Orlando Magic
The Bucks had absolutely no answer for Magic center Nikola Vucevic, who erupted for 35 points on 15-of-24 shooting while adding 14 rebounds in a masterful performance. Look for the Bucks to be stronger in the paint in an attempt to force Orlando to beat them from outside – and that might just be a strong tactic given that the Magic finished 25th in the NBA in 3-point success rate during the regular season. That said, Orlando shot 39 percent from deep in Game 1.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have plenty to fix in Game 2, but greater success might really come down to just two key areas. Milwaukee needs to take better care of the basketball after committing 16 turnovers that led to 25 Orlando points; the Magic gave the ball away 15 times but yielded just 14 points off those turnovers. And the Bucks will aim to be better from the foul line: they were just 18-for-28 in Game 1 after finishing fourth in the NBA during the regular season at 74.2 percent.
Who Will Win Magic vs. Bucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 19 Aug 2:04am | ORL | -12.5 -110 | O +227.5 -110 |
| Closing 20 Aug 10:03pm | ORL | -13 -111 | O +228.5 -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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 19 Aug 2:04am ORL -12.5 -110 O +227.5 -110 Closing 20 Aug 10:03pm ORL -13 -111 O +228.5 -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.