Magic vs Bucks Prediction & Player Prop Picks (4/10): Look for Lillard to Light Up Orlando with Giannis Out

A lot of the NBA playoff puzzle is complete, but there is still a lot left to be filled in before the regular season ends on Sunday. That includes the seeding picture in the Eastern Conference, where anything can happen from second to eighth. Two teams in that mix will meet tonight at Fiserv Forum as the Milwaukee Bucks (48-31) play host to the Orlando Magic (46-33).

Following last night’s 104-91 win over the visiting Boston Celtics, the Bucks have a one-game lead for the second seed in the East, with the New York Knicks (47-32) third and still hot on their heels ahead of a visit to Boston tomorrow night.

Chaos could reign for those two spots, as well as the next five. The Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers have the same 46-33 record, while the Indiana Pacers (46-34) are a half-game behind and holding the last guaranteed playoff spot for now.

There’s a lot of emphasis on that “for now,” as the #7 Philadelphia 76ers (45-35) and #8 Miami Heat (44-35) could end up with direct passage in the first round without having to go through the play-in tournament.

So, it’s safe to say that tonight’s game in Milwaukee could have a significant effect on the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

Unfortunately for the home team, they will be without both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton tonight. Giannis, who suffered a calf injury in last night’s win over the Celtics and had to be helped off the court. Fortunately for the Bucks’ playoff hopes, a left soleus strain is not as serious of an outcome as things initially looked when he went down with no contact.

Middleton, meanwhile, is getting some rest since the Bucks are playing on consecutive nights.

Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on tonight’s action in the Association.

Spread

• Orlando Magic -2 (-113)
• Milwaukee Bucks +2 (-107)

Over/Under

• Over 214 (-110)
• Under 214 (-110)

Moneyline

• Orlando Magic -133
• Milwaukee Bucks +113

With nine games on tonight’s schedule, it should be a wonderful Wednesday for NBA betting. Get free and reliable moneyline, spread, and over/under consensus picks for all nine games, including this one, from our NBA picks page.

Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks Betting Analysis and Prediction

With Giannis and Middleton out and the Bucks, who are 2-6 in their last eight games even after the win over the NBA’s best team, on a back-to-back, the home team is an underdog tonight.

For the season, Milwaukee is 3-9 SU and 5-7 ATS as an underdog. At home, they are 2-1 SU and ATS as an underdog. They recorded SU and ATS wins against the Los Angeles Clippers (+2.5) on March 4 and the Phoenix Suns (+3) on March 17, while they lost and failed to cover against the Minnesota Timberwolves (+2.5) on February 8.

Will they improve to 3-1 tonight or drop to 2-2? At this point in the season, I still don’t know what to make of Milwaukee, but just as the shorthanded Clippers did last night in Phoenix, the Bucks can win tonight at home against the Magic.

Orlando isn’t exactly lighting it up on the road, where they have lost their last two games (at Houston last night and at Charlotte five days ago). And they are on a back-to-back themselves, so they don’t have some sort of rest advantage. In fact, they are at a disadvantage, as they had to travel from Houston to Milwaukee.

For the season, the Magic are 5-9 SU and 8-6 when playing with no rest. It’s not horrible, but it certainly doesn’t damage my confidence in the Bucks being able to win even without two of their top three scorers.

Magic vs Bucks Prediction: Bucks to cover and win

Best Player Props for Magic vs Bucks

Damian Lillard (Bucks) Over 27.5 Points (-125 at Bovada) & Over 3.5 Made Threes (+105 at Bovada)

With both Giannis and Middleton out, expect Lillard to take a lot of shots tonight.

Here are his numbers from the last four times Giannis was absent:

• vs Los Angeles Clippers (March 4): 41 points (12-22 FG, 4 of 9 3PT, 13 of 13 FT), four rebounds, four assists
• vs Phoenix Suns (March 17): 31 points (10 of 19 FG, 4 of 8 3PT, 7 of 7 FT), 16 assists, five rebounds
• at Boston Celtics (March 20): 32 points (11 of 21 FG, 6 of 10 3PT, 4 of 4 FT), six assists, four rebounds
• vs Toronto Raptors (April 5): 36 points (10 of 24 FG, 4 of 12 3PT, 12 of 14 FT), six assists, five rebounds

Bobby Portis (Bucks) Over 17.5 Points (-120 at Bovada) & Over 8.5 Rebounds (-145 at Bovada)

Giannis being out also likely means a highly productive night for Portis.

Here are his numbers from the last four games that Giannis missed:

• vs Clippers (3/4): 28 points (12 of 18 FG, 2 of 3 3PT, 2 of 2 FT), 16 rebounds
• vs Suns (3/17): 31 points (13 of 20 FG, 5 of 5 3PT), 10 rebounds
• at Celtics (3/20): 24 points (11 of 20 FG, 3 of 5 3PT), 15 rebounds
• vs Raptors (4/5): 19 points (8 of 18 FG, 1 of 4 3PT, 2 of 2 FT), 10 rebounds

Other NBA Betting Information

Where to Bet on the NBA

Many of the top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of NBA odds throughout the year.

In addition to being able to bet on 2024 NBA championship odds, you can make daily NBA picks on odds for every game all season long, including NBA playoffs odds.

Also, you can bet on the All-Star Game, NBA Draft odds, and the major awards like NBA MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, and more at most reputable sports betting sites.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. Here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (review)
• BetUS (review)
• Bookmaker (review)
• Bovada (review)
• MyBookie (review)
• Sportsbetting.ag (review)

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Along with BetOnline, Bovada is one of the best sports betting sites for NBA player props, as they offer a plethora of prop markets for every game on the schedule. They also have a hefty welcome bonus for cryptocurrency users (75% up to $750). 

Interested in Learning More About NBA Betting?

Looking to learn more about the ins and outs of betting on the NBA? Check out our NBA betting guide. Also, if you’d like to learn more about NBA player prop bets, check out our NBA player props guide.

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