The first elimination matchup of the NBA Cup takes place in Milwaukee, where the Bucks host the severely shorthanded Orlando Magic.
The pregame narrative: Orlando won’t have Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner on Tuesday, which is part of the reason Jalen Suggs looks interesting in the prop market. Even so, I like Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks to take care of business.
Check out my Magic vs. Bucks same-game parlay predictions for Dec. 10.
Magic vs. Bucks predictions
Go to full NBA betting markets
Parlay: Bucks -2.5 + Giannis over 29.5 points + Suggs over 2.5 threes (+290)
Bucks -2.5 (-265): Orlando won its first game without Banchero and Wagner on Sunday. But that was a home game against a Phoenix Suns team playing on a back-to-back.
Tuesday’s matchup in Milwaukee will be a much tougher task.
- The Bucks are 10-3 since Nov. 12, covering a -2.5 spread in nine of those victories.
- Last year, Milwaukee won both home games against Orlando and covered this number both times.
Orlando has spent most of the season without Banchero, but the absence of its top two scorers will likely be too much to deal with.
SGP legs
Giannis over 29.5 points (-155): Orlando has been one of the better teams at defending the rim this season, but I don’t think that’ll matter with Giannis looming on the other side.
The Magic are allowing the second-fewest points per game to opposing power forwards (per Betting Pros), as well as the fifth-lowest field goal percentage around the rim (per Cleaning the Glass).
But they haven’t done much to slow down Giannis in the past.
Dating back to the 2022-23 season, Giannis has scored 31-plus points in four straight games against Orlando. He hit the 35-point milestone in both matchups last season.
And given that he’s averaging a career-high 32.5 PPG this year, I’m quite comfortable backing him at this number.
Suggs over 2.5 threes (-162): As a straight wager, Suggs over 3.5 threes might be the best play for this game. But I want a bit more security in this SGP format.
Suggs leads the Magic in attempted 3s per game (7.1), with Banchero and Wagner trailing right behind him. With both stars out, Suggs should be firing at will from deep.
Especially in this matchup.
Opposing point guards are averaging the most points (28.3) and the third-most 3s (3.6) per game against Milwaukee.
Suggs is 12-for-30 (40.0%) from deep over his past three games and should lean into that success as Orlando’s primary 3-point shooter.
Picks made at 9:25 a.m. on 12/10/24.
Looking to get started? Sign up here.
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.