Bucks Face Magic in Crucial Eastern Conference Showdown

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Milwaukee Bucks aim to rebound from recent struggles as they host the Orlando Magic tonight at Fiserv Forum. The game, tipping off at 7 p.m., will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.

The Bucks, currently 0-8 against the Eastern Conference’s top three teams—Cleveland, Boston, and New York—have fared better against Orlando. They narrowly defeated the Magic in Florida earlier this season, despite Orlando star Paolo Banchero playing his first game since October. Milwaukee also secured a close victory over Orlando in early December.

Orlando enters the game significantly short-handed. Starters Franz Wagner (oblique) and Jalen Suggs (back), along with key reserves Gary Harris (hamstring), Mo Wagner (knee), and Goga Bitadze (concussion), are sidelined. However, starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who left Saturday’s game with a knee injury, has been cleared to play. Caldwell-Pope has yet to miss a game this season despite managing pain in his right knee since training camp.

For Milwaukee, Khris Middleton is probable to play after sitting out Tuesday night’s game against Sacramento. Middleton, who recently returned from offseason ankle surgery, has been on a minutes restriction. He played 12 consecutive games from Dec. 6 to Jan. 4 but has since missed games on Jan. 6 and 14 to manage his recovery.

The matchup also features a personal connection: Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley is best friends with UW-Milwaukee assistant coach Jose Winston.

According to BetMGM, Milwaukee is a 5.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 211.5 points.