The Orlando Magic put together one of their strongest efforts of the season in Minnesota on Saturday, crushing one of the best in the West 119-92. They will look to continue a road winning streak that began in Los Angeles with wins over the Clippers and Lakers.
Milwaukee also won on Saturday, pulling away from the Utah Jazz 113-99 to snap a two-game losing streak that coincided with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return from a 14-game absence due to a calf injury.
Antetokounmpo’s presence was necessary late in the last quarter because the game was tied, which prevented him from participating in it. Kevin Porter Jr. is also out.
The Magic are tied with the Miami Heat atop the Southeast Division, although they have a tiebreaker as they have defeated Miami all four times they have played. The Magic’s upset of Minnesota has moved them to sixth place in the East.
Orlando is 14-15 on the road and 20-19 against Eastern Conference foes. Milwaukee is 15-16 at home and 19-23 against Eastern Conference competition.
Vitals – How to watch Magic in Bucks
Date, time and location of the game: Sunday, March 8, 8:10 pm EST, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic), FanDuel Sports Wisconsin (Bucks)
Radio: FM 96.9 The Game/AM 740 WYGM (Magic), WTMJ (Bucks)
Magic looks to extend road win streak to four, ending Bucks’ streak
The Orlando Magic (34-28) visit the Milwaukee Bucks (27-35) in the third and final meeting between these teams this season.
The Magic last won a season series against Milwaukee in 2011-12, but since then they have gone 14-35, including a surprising loss (116-108) in the last game before the break. Cam Thomas, who was just signed after being released from the Brooklyn Nets, scored 34 points to complement a triple-double from Kevin Porter Jr. (18 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists), so the Bucks are still in position to win this year’s series 2-1 if they pull off an upset on Sunday night.
The Bucks have built a 77-57 lead in the all-time series, dating back to 1989-90. Milwaukee won the first nine meetings.
Betting lines (via DraftKings)
Spread: Magic -6.5 (-112), Dollars +6.5 (-115)
Money line: Magic -218, Dollars +180
Total: 216.5 (Over -112, Under -108)
Game odds are updated periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and needs help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
PROJECTED STARTS
MAGIC
F Tristan da Silva
F Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
G Jalen Suggs
G. Desmond Bane
DOLLARS
F Ousmane Dieng
Pete Nance
C Myles Turner
Ryan Rollins
G AJ Green
INJURY REPORT
MAGIC
Anthony Black: Out – Lumbar strain
Jonathan Isaac: Out – Pain in left knee
Franz Wagner: Out – Management of left ankle sprain injury
Jase Richardson: Out – Lower Back Spasms
Alex Morales: Out – G League (Double)
Colin Castleton: Out – G League (round trip)
DOLLARS
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Out – Right calf injury management
Kevin Porter Jr.: Out – Swelling in right knee
Kyle Kuzma: Out – Thoracic spine contusion
Taurus Prince: Out – Neck Surgery Recovery
Cormac Ryan: Out – G League (two-way)
Alex Antetokounmpo: Out – G League (two-way)