The Milwaukee Bucks will face off against the Orlando Magic in an Eastern Conference clash as pat of tonight’s nine-game NBA Cup slate. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
This is the first matchup of the season between these two opponents, with neither side getting off to a strong start to the season. The Bucks are tied with only the Utah Jazz for the worst record in the NBA following their 1-11 start to the year. Orlando enters with a 4-7 record, which slots them at ninth place in the Eastern Conference, although they have greater aspirations for the season.
Looking at the odds for tonight’s matchup, the Magic enter as 9.5-point favorites with -395 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Bucks hold +312 odds to pull off the outright win, with the game total set at 224.5 points.
Bucks vs. Magic Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks have dropped to 1-11 on the season and enter the matchup on an eight-game losing streak. Their lone victory this year came in a 110-102 win over the Indiana Pacers. So far this season, Milwaukee has gone 4-8 against the spread, and the game total is 6-6 to the over/under.
Tyler Herro leads Milwaukee with averages of 21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Jaime Jaquez Jr. adds 16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, while Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins also average double figures. Kel’el Ware contributes 8.5 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game. Kasparas Jakučionis, Brayden Burries, Myles Turner, and Nate Ament round out a roster still working to establish consistent roles and production.
Taylor Jenkins’ squad is averaging 106.8 points per game, which ranks 28th in the league. The Bucks also rank 27th in offensive rating, 29th in field-goal percentage, and 21st in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 121.3 points per game against Milwaukee, which ranks 28th in the league. Milwaukee also ranks 29th in defensive rating, 18th in opponents’ field-goal percentage, and 20th in opponents’ three-point percentage.
The Orlando Magic enter with a 4-7 record to start the year, which slots them in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. They are attempting to get back on the right track and looking to build off the momentum of back-to-back wins over the Kings and Jazz entering tonight. Orlando has gone 5-6 against the spread, and the game total has remained under in six of their 11 games played.
Injuries continue to be a factor preventing this team from reaching its peak and seeing what it looks like as fully designed. Paolo Banchero remains sidelined with his high ankle sprain and has only suited up for two games this year. Jonathan Isaac, Noah Penda, and Izaiyah Nelson will each also miss tonight’s game, while Jalen Suggs, Tristan Da Silva, and Jamal Cain are each considered questionable.
Franz Wagner has led the available group with averages of 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists. Desmond Bane contributes 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, while Anthony Black adds 17.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Wendell Carter Jr. provides 13.6 points and a team-high 9.5 rebounds, with Jase Richardson and Jevon Carter also contributing to the rotation.
Sean Sweeney’s squad is averaging 108.5 points per game, which ranks 26th in the NBA. The Magic also rank 26th in offensive rating, 24th in field goal percentage, and 20th in three-point percentage. Defensively, Orlando is giving up 114.0 points per game, which ranks 17th in the league. They also rank 20th in defensive rating, 23rd in opponents’ field goal percentage, and 27th in opponents’ three-point percentage.
Bucks vs. Magic Pick, Best Bet
Neither team should be satisfied with its start, but there is more reason for optimism about Orlando getting back on track. The Magic have the talent to compete in the Eastern Conference, while Milwaukee remains in the early stages of its rebuild. After consecutive victories, Orlando should view this matchup as another opportunity to build momentum. My lean is toward the Magic producing a comfortable victory and covering the 9.5-point spread tonight.
However, I am backing the game total to remain under the 224.5 game total as my best bet for this matchup. It can be a struggle for each of these teams to score points, largely for self-inflicted reasons. Each offense has looked clunky and out of rhythm for consistent stretches this season.
The Magic rank 26th in the league in scoring and 26th in offensive rating. Orlando has been held below 100 points in four of their 11 games already this year. Not having Banchero on the floor takes away their top scoring threat, and their limited three-point shooting prevents their top-end scoring potential. They also rank 22nd in the league in pace, so don’t expect much of this game to be played in transition.
The Bucks rank 28th in the league in scoring and 28th in defensive rating so far this season. They were held to just 85 points against the Knicks on Tuesday, and were limited to 102 points or fewer in five of their past eight games. They also will be bothered by a Magic defense that has some encouraging top-end defensive ability. While they have not reached their peak this season, they finished last season ranked 11th in defensive rating and posted the second-best rate in the 2024-25 season with many of the same pieces in place.
Expect scoring to be difficult to come by, and for both of these teams to struggle to put the ball in the hoop tonight. These rosters are starved for lead offensive creators compared to the NBA standard, and both teams are still figuring out the new offensive system under their new head coaches. The first team to crack 100 points should have a clear path to victory, and this could be a final score more fitting for a game that occurred before the turn of the century. Expect the 224.5 game total to be too lofty and for the final score to fall short tonight.
