Picture Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Cup 2024: Bucks vs Magic – Preview, Team News and Prediction

Injury-hit Magic would aim to end their disappointing run on the road as they face Bucks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

Picture Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NBA Cup quarterfinal round kicks off with an Eastern Conference clash between Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic. Milwaukee will take the home advantage due to the higher seed. Meanwhile, the Bucks would aim to extend their unbeaten run in the NBA Cup.

Bucks vs. Magic Preview

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks enter the NBA Cup knockouts with a 4-0 record in Group Play and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Milwaukee has improved after a 4-9 start in the first 13 games. Giannis’ stunning form has made their offense strong as the Bucks are averaging 116.2 points in the last ten.

Milwaukee ranks 10th in offensive rating (113.9) and 14th in defense (113.0). The hosts have an edge over Magic in three-point percentage, ranking third this season.

Orlando Magic

The Magic earned the NBA Cup knockout qualification as a wild-card spot, thanks to a better goal difference. Orlando posted 3-1 in the Group Play but injuries have hurt them in the last couple of weeks.

Magic are coming off a 115-110 win over Phoenix Suns to extend their home run to 10 matches. However, their NBA Cup quarterfinal is on the road where they are 7-9. Magic is currently the fifth-lowest scoring team in the NBA, and is struggling in the offense.

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How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic

Game day: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Game time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Arena: Fiserv Forum
TV channel: FanDuel Sports Network
Live stream: Watch this game on Fubo
NBA League Pass: The most live games plus NBA TV. Free trial

Bucks vs. Magic Team News

Milwaukee Bucks will miss their backup forward Chris Livingstone through a left ankle sprain.

Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Right Patella Tendinopathy), MarJon Beauchamp (Left Hamstring Tendinopathy), and Khris Middleton (Bilateral Ankle Surgery) have been listed as probable. But considering the importance of the game, Antetokounmpo is likely to start.

Injury Report – Dec. 10 vs. Orlando

Out:
Chris Livingston (Left Ankle Sprain)

Probable:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Right Patella Tendinopathy)
MarJon Beauchamp (Left Hamstring Tendinopathy)
Khris Middleton (Bilateral Ankle Surgery)
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 9, 2024

Orlando Magic has listed two players on the injury reports as Pablo Banchero and in-form Franz Wagner have been sidelined due to torn right obliques. Wagner’s injury is likely to keep him out for at least four weeks.

Bucks vs. Magic Probable Starting lineup

Miwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard, Andre Jackson Jr., Taurean Prince, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, Caldwell-pope, Tristan da Silva, Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze

Bucks vs. Magic Prediction

Injury-riddled Orlando Magic will struggle to squeeze past Milwaukee Bucks, who haven’t lost a single game in the NBA Cup.

Magic has only dropped games on the road and they lacked in offense.

Milwaukee leads the all-time series 73-55 and hasn’t allowed Magic to win a season series since 2011-12. Due to ongoing form and injuries playing a big role, the Bucks should win this game.

Bucks vs. Magic

Franz Wagner

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks

NBA 2024-25

NBA Cup 2024 Quarterfinals

orlando Magic

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.