The Milwaukee Bucks look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in Game 4 against the Orlando Magic Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET in the Orlando bubble. We analyze the Bucks-Magic NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Series: Milwaukee leads 2-1.
Bucks vs. Magic: Key injuries
Magic
- C Mo Bamba (COVID evaluation) out
- PG Michael Carter-Williams (foot) out
- SG Melvin Frazier Jr. (back) questionable
- PF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) questionable
- PF Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with an NBA bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!
Bucks vs. Magic: odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:52 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Bucks 117, Magic 99
Moneyline (ML)
Milwaukee (-1112) blasted Orlando 121-107 in Game 3 for a second straight double-digit victory. The Bucks held a 34-point lead in the game and executed a strategy of forcing the Magic (+675) to make outside shots to beat them.
Orlando shot a better percentage from 3 (48%) than it did inside the arc (42%) but was outscored in the paint 50-26. It’s a defensive gameplan the Bucks have used successfully all season — they’ve allowed the fourth-most 3-point attempts per game in the regular season and have the best defensive rating in the NBA.
The Magic couldn’t do anything to stop Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 35 points on 12 of 14 shooting, and whether or not Gordon plays in his first postseason game shouldn’t matter much. Orlando stealing Game 1 was its only win over Milwaukee in their six head-to-head meetings this season.
The risk of betting the Bucks — at -1112 — isn’t worth the measly payout and the Magic are done winning games in this series. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.
Also see:
- Milwaukee Bucks rumors (HoopsHype)
- Orlando Magic rumors (HoopsHype)
- HoopsHype – The latest NBA coverage
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The reason to take the BUCKS -13.5 (-110) at such a big number goes back to the defensive style and playing the percentages based on it.
They are letting the Magic shoot 3’s because Orlando was ranked 25th in 3-point percentage in the regular season and Milwaukee allows the least points in the paint. Since the Magic will be stuck chucking 3’s and can’t get any easy buckets, the percentages say Orlando gets blown out in most games against Milwaukee. BET THE BUCKS -13.5.
New to sports betting? A $110 bet on the Bucks returns a profit of $100 if they win by 14 or more points.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 225.5 (-110) is the right play on the total because the Bucks should continue to clamp down on the Magic’s offense.
If Milwaukee gets out to a big halftime lead, coach Mike Budenholzer will be sure to tell his team to lock down in the second half since Orlando scored 64 of its 107 Game 3 points after the break. The path to a Magic cover is the same as the Over 225.5: Orlando gets hot shooting desperate 3’s. Not a strong angle to bet.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @Geoffery_Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]