Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 13/04/2024, 10:26  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 14/04/2024 at 05:00 in NBA Prediction

The Orlando Magic will welcome the Milwaukee Bucks on the final day of the 2023/24 NBA regular season. They arrive for the game sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, three games back on the second-placed Bucks. The Magic are not only seeking to head into the postseason with a win, but they are also seeking to secure fifth place. Jamahl Mosley’s men aren’t yet assured of an automatic playoff spot and can drop into the play-in if they fail to win here. They are tied with the two teams directly below them on the same 46-35 record but have the tiebreaker advantage. A win here will therefore confirm a top-six finish. The Magic defeated the Bucks the last time they were in two which was back in November. They will hope for a similar result as they seek to snap their three-game losing run. One of those three defeats came against the Bucks in Milwaukee. Orlando, who have won once in their last five games, lost 125-113 away to the Sixers last time out. In their last three games, the Magic have averaged 106 points a night.

The Bucks are in a sort of crisis at the moment. They have struggled with their form and have their two main stars injured. Doc Rivers’ men have won just three times in their last 10 games. They also have played the last two games missing Giannis Antentokunmpo and Damian Lillard. Antetokounmpo has missed the last two games while Lillard was sidelined last time out against OKC. Giannis is expected to be out for a bit longer and might miss the early stages of their first-round playoff matchup. The injuries hamper the Bucks’ aspirations of securing the second seed. They are tied with the third-placed Knicks on a 49-32 record but fortunately, they have the tiebreaker advantage. Milwaukee therefore have to win here. Having defeated Orlando the last two times they have matched up will add to boosting the confidence levels. The Bucks defeated the Magic 117-99 at home in the most recent meeting last Thursday. They however weren’t able to make it three wins in succession as they fell in Oklahoma 125-107 last time out. The Bucks have averaged 109.3 points over their last three games.