The Milwaukee Bucks (44-7) will try to extend a six-game road winning streak when they clash against the Orlando Magic (22-30) at Amway Center. The game can be seen on Fox SportsNet Florida at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 218 points with Milwaukee opening as an 8-point favorite at PointsBet.
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic ATS Prediction
The last time the Bucks played, they covered the 10.5-point spread against the Philadelphia 76ers, 112-101. The total points for the game (213) finished under the projected point total of 223. The Bucks had a better free throw rate (0.128 vs. 0.081) and held the 76ers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.470 (below their season average of 0.528). With 36 points on 13-for-25 shooting, Giannis Antetokounmpo was the top scorer from either team.
The Magic lost a tough one against the New York Knicks in their last game, 105-103, despite being 4-point favorites. The game’s combined points (208) hit the projected point total. New York’s 11.5 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Orlando, who had a rate of 18.5. The Knicks’ mark was better than their season average of 12.1, while the Magic’s was above their season average of 10.9. Nikola Vucevic put together a solid game for Orlando, leading both teams in scoring with 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
The Bucks have won all three matchups against the Magic this season, including an 11-point victory in their last matchup. Milwaukee covered as a 6-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 211 points, which was 5.5 points below the projected point total of 216.5 points. Milwaukee won the rebounding battle. The Bucks had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. five), defensive rebounds (44 vs. 29) and total rebounds (58 vs. 34). Despite the loss, Vucevic was a standout player in the game, putting up 21 points and eight rebounds.
Milwaukee heads into the game with records of 44-7 straight up (SU) and 29-22 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Bucks’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Orlando owns records of 22-30 SU and 22-26-4 ATS. Of the Magic’s 52 games, 29 have finished under the total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Khris Middleton (27 points,7.4 rebounds,6.6 assists) has been stellar for the Bucks while Aaron Gordon (17 points,8.8 rebounds,1.4 steals) has contributed greatly to the Magic.
The inefficient offense of Orlando (27th in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 104.0) will go head-to-head against the top-notch defense of Milwaukee (first in the league with a defensive efficiency of 100.2). The Bucks figure to have the edge on that side of the ball. It will also be a matchup of opposite paces as the up-and-down Bucks rank first in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Magic rank 29th.
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Milwaukee is 14-10 ATS with 13 unders and 11 overs.
At home, Orlando is 9-14-2 ATS with 17 unders and 8 overs.
Orlando is 12-4 when they allow below 100 points, while Milwaukee is 11-0.
When scoring over 100 points, the Magic are 18-12 and the Bucks are 44-7.
Milwaukee ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.4) while Orlando ranks 26th (44.4).
The Magic rank eighth in three pointers allowed per game (32.5) while the Bucks rank last (39.0).
Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points per game (19.2) while Orlando ranks 22nd (11.6).
The Bucks rank fourth in assists per game (26.3) while the Magic rank 24th (22.7).
Milwaukee ranks first in rebounds per game (51.9) while Orlando ranks 19th (44.5).
The Magic rank fifth in steals per game (8.4) while the Bucks rank 19th (7.5).
Milwaukee ranks second in blocks per game (6.4) while Orlando ranks 11th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
The Magic rank first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.1) while the Bucks rank ninth (15.8).
Milwaukee is second in the league with 11.5 second chance points allowed per game while Orlando is third with 11.7 second chance points allowed per game.
In its last five games, Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Orlando is 1-4 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over its last five games.
The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.4, down from 12.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 99.2 points per game (4.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.2 points per game (2.4 above their season average).
