Game 2 Predictions & Odds: Magic vs. Bucks

• August 19, 2020
• By Kevin Rogers
• VegasInsider.com

After getting stunned in Game 1 on Tuesday, the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks will look to rebound against the No. 8 Orlando Magic as they meet in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first round matchups on Thursday evening from the NBA Bubble in Orlando.

Betting Resources

• Matchup: Game 2
• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
• Location: Orlando, Florida
• Date: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020
• Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

Betting Odds - Magic vs. Bucks

Line Movements

• Spread: Milwaukee -12.5
• Money-Line: Milwaukee -1400, Orlando +800
• Total: 227.5
• Updated Series Price: Milwaukee -4000, Orlando +1500

Game 1 Recap

For the second time inside the bubble, the Milwaukee Bucks lost outright as a double-digit favorite. The Bucks were tripped up by the Nets earlier this month as 18.5-point chalk, but that was a meaningless regular season game to top-seeded Milwaukee. The eighth-seeded Magic, who seemed like they would be lucky to win one game in this series, led from start to finish in a 122-110 stunner as 14-point underdogs.

Orlando built a 10-point lead after the first quarter and had an 18-point advantage late in the second quarter. Milwaukee cut the deficit to 69-68 with 8:33 remaining in the third quarter, but that's as close as the Bucks got as the Magic pulled away late in the period to grab a 92-79 cushion.

Nikola Vucevic torched the Bucks as the Magic forward scored 35 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, while Orlando knocked down 16 three-pointers. The Bucks were limited to 43% shooting from the floor and missed 10 free throws in the loss, as last season's MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 31 points for Milwaukee.

Game 1 Betting Results

Outcome: Magic 122 Bucks 110

• Game: Magic Win, Magic Cover (+14), Over 225.5
• First Quarter: Magic Win (33-23), Magic Cover (+4), Under 58
• First-Half: Magic Win (62-52), Magic Cover (+8), Under 114.5
• Second-Half: Magic Win (60-58), Magic Cover (+9.5), Over 117

Magic vs. Bucks
How to Handicap Game 2

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Magic Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats

• Overall: 34-40 SU, 36-36-2, 39-32-3 O/U
• Bubble: 4-5 SU, 5-4 ATS, 6-3 O/U

Orlando is the only team that didn't have to travel to the bubble, but the Magic endured a five-game skid after winning their first two contests against the Nets and Kings. The Magic lost all five games to Eastern Conference playoff teams, including double-digit defeats to Toronto and Indiana.

In the last nine opportunities as an underdog dating back to before the pandemic, the Magic have compiled an impressive 7-2 ATS mark. Orlando beat Milwaukee for the first in five meetings this season, but the Magic have cashed in both opportunities as a double-digit underdog against the Bucks.

Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats

• Overall: 56-18 SU, 39-35 ATS, 35-37-2 O/U
• Bubble: 4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS, 6-3 O/U

Milwaukee lost its second-round playoff opener to Boston by 22 points last season. However, the Bucks bounced back with four consecutive wins and covers, so losing Game 1 to Orlando isn't exactly doomsday for Milwaukee. On the flip side, Orlando upset Toronto in Game 1 of the first round as nine-point underdogs, then was blown out in Game 2 by a 111-82 count.

The Bucks have done a good job of bouncing back off a non-cover as a double-digit favorite this season by putting together a 12-6 ATS mark in the following game. Milwaukee is 4-0 SU and ATS off an outright loss as a favorite of 10 points or more this season.

Key Injuries

Milwaukee

• Ersan Illyasova: Elbow – Questionable

Orlando

• Michael Carter-Williams: Foot - Doubtful
• Aaron Gordon: Hamstring - Questionable

Gordon has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury as the Magic are 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS in this stretch. The forward's status is still up in the air for Thursday's contest.

Game 2 Best Picks

Was Milwaukee caught off guard by Orlando in Game 1? Absolutely. But the Bucks still had the Magic's number this season and should be more focused in Thursday's Game 2. The Bucks have proven in the past they can rebound off losses, especially in the playoffs. Milwaukee needs to sure up its free throw shooting and avoid the big early deficit.

Score Prediction: Bucks 117, Magic 102