ORLANDO – The Milwaukee Bucks have won two games in a row and seem to have recaptured a bit of what had them win seven straight and 12 of 15 during a stretch from mid-November to mid-December, but they face one of the tougher teams in the Eastern Conference tonight in the Orlando Magic.
The Bucks (19-16) have not been a good road team for over a year, and they face a Magic (22-17) team – led by Milwaukee native and head coach Jamahl Mosley – that is the best scoring defense in the NBA.
But, the Magic are coming off a loss Thursday night to Minnesota in which they scored just 89 points.
Milwaukee beat Orlando on Dec. 10 in an Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal game that sent the team to Las Vegas.
Magic star Paolo Banchero makes return vs. Bucks
Orlando forward Paolo Banchero tore an oblique muscle just five games into the season, and the 22-year-old all-star is making his return tonight and starting vs. the Bucks. Banchero was averaging 29 points per game in the early going.
Unfortunately for the Magic, they are still without star forward Franz Wagner (torn oblique) and backup center Mo Wagner (torn ACL), all-defensive team candidate Jalen Suggs (back) and shooting guard Gary Harris (hamstring).
Is Giannis playing?
Yes. The MVP candidate is managing pain in his right knee, and is probable to play – but he has yet to miss a game with that issue since it began in training camp.
The game tips off at 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast local on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Steve Novak and Melanie Ricks on the call.
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Ryan Rollins, questionable (non-COVID illness)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (right patella tendinopathy)
Khris Middleton, probable (bilateral ankle surgery management)
Damian Lillard, probable (left calf contusion)
Will Khris Middleton come off the bench for the Bucks?
It appears so. Head coach Doc Rivers and Middleton positioned the all-star’s return to the bench against San Antonio on Jan. 8 as health-based — and Middleton definitely felt it’s a temporary situation. It didn’t appear that Middleton went through shootaround on Friday, but he is probable to play.
Bucks starting lineup
Guards: Damian Lillard, Andre Jackson Jr.
Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince
Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks vs. Magic odds, over/under
Milwaukee is a 6.5-point favorite over Orlando and the over/under is 210.5 points, per BetMGM.
