The Bucks play the Magic in a pivotal and convoluted end to the regular season.
There are few things you can rely on in this topsy-turvy world. The end-of-season matinee between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic – covered by yours truly – is one of them.
Speaking of topsy-turvy, seeding. I’ll refer you here for a deeper dive, but the Bucks are somehow still in second, with the same record as the Knicks and one game up on the Cavs. Meanwhile, the Magic are in fifth, but have the same record as the Pacers and the Sixers and sit just a game up on the Heat. Suffice to say, this game is not the sleeper it usually is.
The home team has won every matchup this year, with the Magic winning in November and the Bucks winning in December and on Wednesday. Unfortunately, it’s Orlando’s turn to host.
Where We’re At
The Bucks knocked off the Celtics and the Magic in a mid-week SEGABABA at home before falling to the Thunder on the road. After the putrid stretch of play that preceded it, it’s at least an upward regression (aggression?) to the mean, if not a good sign given the quality of the opposition and the lack of star power due to injury. Consider me a Pat Bev Starter Truther.
The Magic, though, have lost three straight, to the Rockets, Bucks, and Sixers—an unfortunate stretch that would have locked up the five seed if they had won any of the three. Franz Wagner returned to the lineup against the Sixers, but to no avail. But all three games were on the road, where their record is anemic – the worst among playoff teams, in fact. Luckily they return to the gauntlet that is the Kia Center on Sunday.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis (left soleus sprain) and AJG (left ankle sprain) are out, while Dame (left adductor soreness), MJB (left ankle sprain), and Thanasis (left hamstring soreness) are probable.
For the Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. is questionable (back spasms).
Player To Watch
Here’s hoping Splash Mountain can bring it close to home. I’m still not quite sure where he fits into Doctopolis—one more game to figure it out, I guess.
How To Watch
Bally Sports WI at 12:00 PM CDT.
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