The NBA Cup’s quarterfinal round begins on Tuesday night with the Eastern Conference fourth-seeded Orlando Magic visiting the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee is is a 7.5-point favourite on the NBA odds.
Magic vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds
There are only two games on Tuesday’s NBA schedule, and both are NBA Cup quarterfinals – which count toward regular-season results. Only the NBA Cup championship game does not. The winner of Magic-Bucks will face the winner of Wednesday’s matchup between the No. 2 Knicks and No. 3 Hawks in the semifinals.
Milwaukee would have home-court advantage in that one as well as the top seed in the East courtesy of winning Group B with a 4-0 record and with the East’s best point differential at plus-50. Orlando was the second-place team in East Group A at 3-1 behind New York (4-0) but had the East’s second-best point differential and thus earned the conference’s lone wild-card spot.
Tuesday marks the first meeting of the season between the clubs, but they very well could meet in the Eastern Conference playoffs as both will be there barring significant injury – something Orlando already is dealing with. They split the four meetings last season. Milwaukee is 8-2 in the past 10 meetings overall and 6-4 ATS.
Orlando Magic
When healthy, the Magic have one of the most promising young frontcourts in the NBA in former No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and rising young star teammate Franz Wagner, but Orlando is currently without both due to torn oblique muscles. Banchero hasn’t played since late October and isn’t that close to a return. Wagner had been one of the East’s best players since then but he got hurt last Friday in Philadelphia and won’t even be re-evaluated for about a month.
Down those two, the Magic are missing 53.4 points, 14.4 rebounds and 12.3 assists per game. Yet Orlando managed to win without both on Sunday, rallying to beat Phoenix 115-110 to remain the NBA’s only unbeaten team at home. That improved the Magic to 5-1 SU this season in games decided by five points or fewer. Guard Jalen Suggs had 26 points in the win and likely will be the primary scorer without Wagner and Banchero. Orlando has lost eight straight games in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks only recently got whole with the season debut off summer surgeries of former All-Star Khris Middleton. Milwaukee snapped a two-game skid on Sunday with a 118-113 comeback win in Brooklyn thanks in large part to Middleton, who scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter. He has been coming off the bench in his two games. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 11 rebounds for his 13th 30/10 game of the season, and former Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. scored a season-high 20 points off the bench.
Damian Lillard was held to 15 points as his streak of six straight games with at least 25 ended. That was his longest as a Buck and the third-longest such streak in the league this year. The Nets did shoot 50.7 per cent from the field, ending Milwaukee’s NBA-best streak of holding opponents under 50 per cent shooting at 15 straight games (went 10-5 in those). The Bucks are 7-1 SU in their past eight at home.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Magic vs. Bucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 9 Dec 1:23pm | - | - | O +213.5 -110 |
| Closing 11 Dec 2:03am | - | - | O +213.5 -105 |
- Regular Season
Magic Team Leaders
| Points |
28.43 |
| Assists |
5.68 |
| Rebounds |
8.43 |
| FG% |
61.9 |
| Steals |
1.72 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
31.42 |
| Assists |
7.3 |
| Rebounds |
11.9 |
| FG% |
64.3 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
1.89 |
- Regular Season
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
28.43 |
| Assists |
5.68 |
| Rebounds |
8.43 |
| FG% |
61.9 |
| Steals |
1.72 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
31.42 |
| Assists |
7.3 |
| Rebounds |
11.9 |
| FG% |
64.3 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
1.89 |
Injuries
Goga Bitadze (C)
Tristan da Silva (SF)
Jett Howard (SG)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Jalen Suggs (SG)
Gary Harris (SG)
Trevelin Queen (SG)
Anthony Black (PG)
Jalen Suggs (SG)
Moritz Wagner (PF)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Damian Lillard (PG)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Ryan Rollins (PG)
Damian Lillard (PG)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Andre Jackson Jr. (SG)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Andre Jackson Jr. (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goga Bitadze (C) | Ques Wed | Back - 12 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Bitadze exited the game due to a back injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against the Bucks on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Tristan da Silva (SF) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
da Silva is left the game with an undisclosed injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Bucks on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Jett Howard (SG) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 10 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Howard exited the last game with an ankle injury, and it is yet to established if he will dress against the Bucks on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Wed | Knee - 10 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is dealing with left knee soreness, and it is unknown if he will face the Bucks on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Jalen Suggs (SG) | Out indefinitely | Back - 04 / 01 / 25 | 3-3 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Suggs suffered a back injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery |
|||||
| Gary Harris (SG) | Out indefinitely | Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 25 | 3-3 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Harris is dealing with a hamstring injury, and the severity of the injury unclear. |
|||||
| Trevelin Queen (SG) | Prob Fri | Illness - 01 / 01 / 25 | 3-4 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Queen is dealing with an illness, but he is expected to suit up for Friday's contest against the Raptors. |
|||||
| Anthony Black (PG) | Ques Mon | Back - 29 / 12 / 24 | 3-5 | 2-6 | + - |
|
Black is hampered by a back injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Knicks on Monday. |
|||||
| Jalen Suggs (SG) | Ques Wed | Wrist - 29 / 12 / 24 | 3-5 | 2-6 | + - |
|
Suggs left the game due to a right wrist sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will take the court against the Pistons on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Moritz Wagner (PF) | out of season | Knee - 21 / 12 / 24 | 5-6 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Wagner is out of commission due to torn ACL in his left knee, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 11 / 01 / 25 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is managing a knee injury, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Damian Lillard (PG) | Prob Sun | Calf - 11 / 01 / 25 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Lillard is managing a calf injury, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 11 / 01 / 25 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Middleton is managing an ankle injury, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Gary Trent Jr. (SG) | Ques Tues | Hip - 11 / 01 / 25 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Trent is managing a hip, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Kings on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Ryan Rollins (PG) | Ques Tues | Illness - 09 / 01 / 25 | 2-2 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Rollins is managing an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Kings on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Damian Lillard (PG) | Ques wed | Calf - 08 / 01 / 25 | 2-2 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Lillard is nursing with a calf injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Spurs on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Prob Wed | Finger - 07 / 01 / 25 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is nursing with a finger injury, but he is likely to be active against the Spurs on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Andre Jackson Jr. (SG) | Prob Wed | Back - 07 / 01 / 25 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Jackson is fighting off with back spasms, but he is projected to be active against the Spurs on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Prob Mon | Knee - 05 / 01 / 25 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is bothered by a knee injury, and he is expected to be available against the Raptors on Monday. |
|||||
| Andre Jackson Jr. (SG) | Ques Mon | Illness - 05 / 01 / 25 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Jackson Jr. is ailing from illness, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Raptors on Monday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 9 Dec 1:23pm - - O +213.5 -110 Closing 11 Dec 2:03am - - O +213.5 -105 -
- Regular Season
Magic Team Leaders
Points 28.43
Assists 5.68
Rebounds 8.43
FG% 61.9
Steals 1.72
Blocks 1.64
Points 31.42
Assists 7.3
Rebounds 11.9
FG% 64.3
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.89
-
- Regular Season
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 28.43
Assists 5.68
Rebounds 8.43
FG% 61.9
Steals 1.72
Blocks 1.64
Points 31.42
Assists 7.3
Rebounds 11.9
FG% 64.3
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.89
-
Injuries
Goga Bitadze (C)
Ques Wed Back - 12 / 01 / 25Tristan da Silva (SF)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 25Jett Howard (SG)
Ques Wed Ankle - 10 / 01 / 25Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Wed Knee - 10 / 01 / 25Jalen Suggs (SG)
Out indefinitely Back - 04 / 01 / 25Gary Harris (SG)
Out indefinitely Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 25Trevelin Queen (SG)
Prob Fri Illness - 01 / 01 / 25Anthony Black (PG)
Ques Mon Back - 29 / 12 / 24Jalen Suggs (SG)
Ques Wed Wrist - 29 / 12 / 24Moritz Wagner (PF)
out of season Knee - 21 / 12 / 24Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 11 / 01 / 25Damian Lillard (PG)
Prob Sun Calf - 11 / 01 / 25Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 11 / 01 / 25Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Ques Tues Hip - 11 / 01 / 25Ryan Rollins (PG)
Ques Tues Illness - 09 / 01 / 25Damian Lillard (PG)
Ques wed Calf - 08 / 01 / 25Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Prob Wed Finger - 07 / 01 / 25Andre Jackson Jr. (SG)
Prob Wed Back - 07 / 01 / 25Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Prob Mon Knee - 05 / 01 / 25Andre Jackson Jr. (SG)
Ques Mon Illness - 05 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Goga Bitadze (C) Ques Wed Back - 12 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Bitadze exited the game due to a back injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against the Bucks on Wednesday.
Tristan da Silva (SF) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 12 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - da Silva is left the game with an undisclosed injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Bucks on Wednesday.
Jett Howard (SG) Ques Wed Ankle - 10 / 01 / 25 1-1 1-1 + - Howard exited the last game with an ankle injury, and it is yet to established if he will dress against the Bucks on Wednesday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Wed Knee - 10 / 01 / 25 1-1 1-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is dealing with left knee soreness, and it is unknown if he will face the Bucks on Wednesday.
Jalen Suggs (SG) Out indefinitely Back - 04 / 01 / 25 3-3 1-5 + - Suggs suffered a back injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery
Gary Harris (SG) Out indefinitely Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 25 3-3 1-5 + - Harris is dealing with a hamstring injury, and the severity of the injury unclear.
Trevelin Queen (SG) Prob Fri Illness - 01 / 01 / 25 3-4 2-5 + - Queen is dealing with an illness, but he is expected to suit up for Friday's contest against the Raptors.
Anthony Black (PG) Ques Mon Back - 29 / 12 / 24 3-5 2-6 + - Black is hampered by a back injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Knicks on Monday.
Jalen Suggs (SG) Ques Wed Wrist - 29 / 12 / 24 3-5 2-6 + - Suggs left the game due to a right wrist sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will take the court against the Pistons on Wednesday.
Moritz Wagner (PF) out of season Knee - 21 / 12 / 24 5-6 3-9 + - Wagner is out of commission due to torn ACL in his left knee, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 11 / 01 / 25 0-2 2-0 + - Antetokounmpo is managing a knee injury, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Sunday.
Damian Lillard (PG) Prob Sun Calf - 11 / 01 / 25 0-2 2-0 + - Lillard is managing a calf injury, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Sunday.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 11 / 01 / 25 0-2 2-0 + - Middleton is managing an ankle injury, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Sunday.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG) Ques Tues Hip - 11 / 01 / 25 0-2 2-0 + - Trent is managing a hip, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Kings on Tuesday.
Ryan Rollins (PG) Ques Tues Illness - 09 / 01 / 25 2-2 3-1 + - Rollins is managing an illness, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Kings on Tuesday.
Damian Lillard (PG) Ques wed Calf - 08 / 01 / 25 2-2 3-1 + - Lillard is nursing with a calf injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) Prob Wed Finger - 07 / 01 / 25 2-3 3-2 + - Antetokounmpo is nursing with a finger injury, but he is likely to be active against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Andre Jackson Jr. (SG) Prob Wed Back - 07 / 01 / 25 2-3 3-2 + - Jackson is fighting off with back spasms, but he is projected to be active against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF) Prob Mon Knee - 05 / 01 / 25 2-4 3-3 + - Antetokounmpo is bothered by a knee injury, and he is expected to be available against the Raptors on Monday.
Andre Jackson Jr. (SG) Ques Mon Illness - 05 / 01 / 25 2-4 3-3 + - Jackson Jr. is ailing from illness, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Raptors on Monday.