The Milwaukee Bucks have a rematch tonight at home in the Fiserv Forum against the Orlando Magic at 7:00 P.M., who sit half a game ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings. If the Bucks can take this one home, it could be a big momentum win as they will take hold of the fourth seed in the East. Just five days ago, Milwaukee was able to defeat Orlando 109-106 at the Kia Center in Orlando, so the Bucks head into this one favorited by 5.5 points.

The Magic will be without center Goga Bitadze tonight as he remains in concussion protocol after a hit, he received in a game 1/15 versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Bitadze was huge for Orlando after their star duo of guard Franz Wagner and forward Paolo Banchero both suffered torn pectorals and now holds a prominent role on the bench since the return of Banchero. The Magic are also expected to be without breakout guard Jalen Suggs for the sixth straight game as he recovers from a back strain. Milwaukee has yet to make an announcement on guard Gary Trent Jr. and all-star forward Khris Middletons status for the game tonight, so they remain game-time decisions.

Initially, I wanted to take the Bucks -5.5 at -120 (Odds from ESPN bet) but after looking into this matchup I don’t see it finishing any different than the previous two games they’ve played against each other this season. Milwaukee has won both games by five or fewer points, which has me leaning towards Orlando Magic +5.5 at +100 (Odds from ESPN bet), I think the Bucks will struggle to stop guard Cole Anthony who’s been on a heater since his role has been expanded with the injury to Suggs and also Banchero who just dropped 34 on 52% shooting against Milwaukee 1/10. Over the six games Suggs has missed, Anthony has averaged 17 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.6 rebounds and in their last game on 1/12, Anthony scored 27 points. Milwaukee has enough star power to win this game outright, but I don’t think it’s enough to cover the six points they’re getting against a very good Orlando Magic.

This battle between the fourth-seeded Magic and fifth-seeded Bucks has the potential to be the game of the night alongside the Houston Rockets versus Denver Nuggets. Milwaukee needs a bounce-back game after losing to the New York Knicks on 1/12 140-106, so I anticipate the Bucks hope to play some of their best basketball tonight as they continue to fight back up in the Eastern Conference standings.