The Milwaukee Bucks look to remain in the win column when they host Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic at home.
Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Orlando Magic (46-32, 18-20 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Jalen Suggs
- Gary Harris
- Franz Wagner (out) / Joe Ingles
- Paolo Banchero
- Wendell Carter Jr.
The Magic are 4-5 in their last nine games, where they have a close point differential: 107.5 points per game on 105.4 points allowed. They are also coming off a 118-106 loss to the Houston Rockets, and will be on 0-days rest.
Franz Wagner (19.6 PPG) sat the Rockets contest and is still considered day-to-day. He has averaged 26.5 PPG on 53.8% shooting in two games against the Bucks this season. If he’s unable to go, top guy and All-Star Paolo Banchero (22.5 PPG) will continue being the main. Banchero, on the other hand, is at 24.5 PPG on an iffy 41.0% clip in the season series.
Jalen Suggs has 20 PPG and 4.5 APG in his last two, and could maintain that pace. Franz’s big brother, Moe, may contribute well again, as he put up 21 and 19 points in his two outings vs. the Bucks this season.
HOME: Milwaukee Bucks (48-31, 30-11 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Patrick Beverley
- Damian Lillard
- Khris Middleton
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (out) / Bobby Portis
- Brook Lopez
The Bucks snapped an ugly four-game losing streak–which featured three Ls against bottom teams–with a big 104-91 win over the top-seeded Boston Celtics. It was the Celtics’ lowest scoring output on the season, who’s averaging 120.4 PPG.
It’s good and all, but the really big news is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf injury. He got hurt vs. BOS and wasn’t able to finish the game, and is also out for the foreseeable future. The Greek Freak is at 30.4 / 11.5 / 6.5 with a 61.1% clip on the year, so it’s quite huge. It includes his 36.0 PPG in two games vs. ORL this season.
Lillard (24.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG) will take center stage in such situations as per usual, though his struggles on offense and lack of defense make it unappealing. He had 24 points on 5-of-17 shooting in his one game against the Magic this season.
Khris Middleton (15.0 PPG), Brook Lopez (12.5 PPG), and Bobby Portis (13.7 PPG) will be Lillard’s top aides. Patrick Beverley could perform too. His insertion in the starting lineup halted their skid, and he chipped in 20 points, 10 boards, and four threes.
PICKS:
Spread: Magic (-1.5)
Over/Under: Over (215)
