The Milwaukee Bucks head into their final regular season game tied for the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed and travel to take on the Orlando Magic who are tied for the five seed. A win on either side locks up their respective spot while a loss opens them up to potentially unfavorable results.
Can Giannis Antetokounmpo lift the Bucks on Sunday afternoon? Or will Paolo Banchero and the Magic secure the home win?
Continue reading for free NBA picks and Bucks vs. Magic predictions on Sunday, April 14.
Bucks vs Magic predictions
My best bet
Bucks moneyline (+170 at Caesars)
My analysis
Teams stumble into the playoffs every year and the Milwaukee Bucks are doing that and more. Losers of seven of their last 10, Milwaukee has looked abysmal.
And while their latest loss came against a quality Thunder team, many of their other losses have been against the bottom of the barrel. Those include losses to the Wizards, Grizzlies, and Raptors — three teams who don't even have a combined 70 wins amongst them.
Luckily for the Bucks, they travel on Saturday to take on another team that has been struggling as of late in the Orlando Magic, who have now dropped three straight including an 18-point loss to Milwaukee just four days ago.
Milwaukee owns the season series at 2-1, with their lone loss coming during the absence of Damian Lillard. Dame's been a bright spot for Milwaukee as of late in an on-and-off season, averaging 25.0 points this month and averaging 24.5 points in March — marks he had not hit since December.
And while things have been rough for the team as a whole, Sunday represents a chance for Doc Rivers and the Bucks to prove they can win on the road after having lost in six of their last eight road games — a point of emphasis stressed by Rivers prior to their recent home stretch.
Not only has Orlando not been great offensively all year due to their lack of perimeter shooting (23rd in offensive rating), but they've lacked the personnel and discipline to match up with Milwaukee defensively, sending the Bucks to the free-throw line a staggering 28 times per game across their previous three matchups.
If Giannis and Dame can get Orlando into foul trouble early, they should be able to rack up enough points from the charity stripe alone to squeak out a win.
Bucks vs Magic same-game parlay (SGP)
Bucks moneyline
Jalen Suggs Over 14.5 points
Brook Lopez Under 4.5 rebounds
The Bucks have struggled to defend guards all year, allowing 24.9 points to the position per game on the year — the second-worst mark of any team this season. That should mean a fruitful afternoon for Jalen Suggs who racked up 20 and 18 points against Milwaukee in his two prior games.
In the frontcourt, however, the Magic have done well on the boards limiting opposing centers to the second-fewest rebounds per game. Brook Lopez should be the target here, as he has managed just 14 rebounds in his previous three games this season against Orlando.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Bucks vs Magic odds
Bucks vs Magic live odds
Bucks vs Magic opening odds
- Spread: Milwaukee +4.5 | Orlando -4.5
- Moneyline: Milwaukee +155 | Orlando -190
- Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5
Bucks vs Magic spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Bucks have gone just 35-45-1 ATS this year, good for a cover rate of 43.8% which is sixth worst on the year. They have, however, been more even in Eastern Conference matchups at 25-25-1, and they've managed to cover in four of their last six games as a single-digit underdog.
- The Magic have been the league's best team against the spread this year at 50-31, good for the only 60% or better cover rate (61.7%). They have, however, failed to cover in three straight and in eight of their last 11. They have also covered just twice in their last eight games as a favorite.
- The Bucks have gone a dead even 40-40-1 on totals this year, but have gone 21-17-1 towards the Under on the road. Orlando has gone 43-37-1 to the Under this year, putting them inside the bottom third of Unders this year. As home favorites that clip improves to 58.3% at 14-10.
Bucks vs Magic trend
The Magic have covered just twice in their last eight games as a favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Magic.
Bucks vs Magic game info
| Location: | Kia Center, Orlando, FL |
| Date: | Sunday, 4-14-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Wisconsin, Bally Sports Florida |
Bucks vs Magic latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
