Magic vs Bucks Game 1 Odds and Picks
- The top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks are opening as prohibitive -910 favorites to topple the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series
- Milwaukee was also the top seed in the East in last season and swept the #8 Detroit Pistons
- See the full odds available for Bucks vs Magic Game 1 on Tuesday afternoon
Evidently, there’s no magic in the home-court advantage for Orlando as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks.
Even though the NBA bubble is set up in Orlando, the oddsmakers are fairly confident that the Magic’s bubble will burst in Game 1 of their NBA Eastern Conference first-round series against the top-seeded Bucks. Milwaukee is being established as the overwhelming -910 odds-on chalk in the Magic vs Bucks odds.
The Bucks opened as the -500 favorite, so the line has almost doubled since that time. Milwaukee and Orlando take the court at 1:30 pm EDT on Tuesday.
Magic vs Bucks Game 1 Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Sprad | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando Magic | +650 | +12 (-109) | O 225 (-113) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -910 | -12 (-110) | U 225 (-108) |
Odds as of Aug. 17th
Last season, the Bucks were also the #1 seed in the East. Milwaukee swept the eighth-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Seeded seventh a year ago, the Magic fell in five games to the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors. However, Orlando’s solitary victory came in Game 1 of the series.
Bucks Won’t Stop Here
Milwaukee didn’t impress anyone with a 3-5 slate during the seeding games. Really, though, what did the 56-17 Bucks have to play for that would motivate them?
Even when not clicking on all cylinders, reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was still averaging 27.8 points and 12.2 rebounds during the seven games that he played in the restart to the season.
No magic required. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/Q4WLXvtywV
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 8, 2020
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI) is listing Milwaukee with an NBA-best 47% chance to win the title. Should Milwaukee be at least a little bit worried, though.
Prior to COVID-19 halting the season, the Bucks boasted a league-leading defensive efficiency of 101.6. During the restart, they were eighth overall (110.2).
Three Is a Magic Number
Bad things come in threes and threes have proven to be very bad for the Bucks this season. Milwaukee surrendered the most 3-point field goals (14) and 3-point field goal attempts (39.3) per game in NBA history.
https://twitter.com/Rogue28500809/status/1295165521160220673?s=20
This sounds like opportunity knocking for the Magic. Trouble is, Orlando was 22nd in the NBA in 2019-20 in 3-pointers made (11.2) and 26th in 3-point field goal percentage (.343).
They shot less than 30% from beyond the arc during a five-game losing skid inside the bubble.
Totally Consider These Props
The last five Bucks-Magic games went under 225. The last four Orlando-Milwaukee games were won by the Bucks. Take Milwaukee to win and go under at +115.
Bucks (1) vs Magic (8)
Bucks won 97% of simulations with over 40% as a sweep, should be a quick series. pic.twitter.com/OZx6muhF1x
— Jacob Goldstein (@JacobEGoldstein) August 17, 2020
The Bucks to score under 118.5 points is on offer at -110. Milwaukee has gone over 118 points just once in its last 59 games against Orlando.
Orlando is available at -112 for under 106.5 points. The Magic have gone under that total in each of the last five games against Milaukee.
For Starters, Milwaukee’s Finest
The Magic will be fortunate to win a game in this series. Milwaukee swept the season series. The Bucks have won four straight and seven of eight games from Orlando.
The Magic have lost three in a row and four out of five to the Bucks in Orlando. Milwaukee was 3-1 against the spread when facing Orlando this season.
Ultimate humiliation for the Magic after they get swept by the Bucks is making them walk home from the bubble
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) August 15, 2020
The Magic will be without small forward Jonathan Isaac (torn ACL). He is generally their best defender against Giannis.
Orlando are a scrappy bunch but the Magic simply don’t suit up the talent or the depth to hunt down the Bucks. Game 1 will be an omen of what’s to come in this series.
Pick: Milwaukee Bucks (-910), under 225 (-108).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
