NBA Basketball BETTING PREVIEW - Milwaukee Bucks @ Orlando Magic

NBA Basketball

2026-11-13 - Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Milwaukee Bucks @ Orlando Magic
United States : NBA Cup Group Stage
Friday 13th November 2026 - Scheduled 7pm EST
12am (British Time)

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Preview

After upsetting the Toronto Raptors on the road in the opening NBA Cup game, the Orlando Magic (4-7) face two teams who are amongst the bottom three in the Eastern Conference in the next two Cup outings. Win both and the Magic will be hosting the Detroit Pistons with an opportunity to win this Group and earn a spot in the Knock Out Rounds of the competition, although the overall Orlando record means they cannot afford to overlook any team they face.

On Friday, in the third round robin of NBA Cup Group games, the Orlando Magic will be hosting the Milwaukee Bucks (1-11) who are having the kind of season most feared for them when they traded away Giannis Antetounmpko.

The Draft Lottery already looks the next step for the Bucks and they are closing on the record of the worst start made to a NBA season the history of the franchise. In 1974, the Bucks begun the season with a 1-13 record and the 2026 version have lost eight games in a row and in largely uncompetitive manner.

One of the few bright spots has been Tyler Herro, but he is on an expiring contract and you can certainly expect contenders to be circling around him as a rental at the very least. That would really leave Milwaukee short as a fanbase that has been used to seeing the team contend for the NBA Championship now has to expect a couple of rebuilding years.

This is a positive match up for them Offensively considering the injuries and problems Orlando have had on the Defensive side of the court, but the Milwaukee Bucks do not look like a team that can take complete advantage of that. In recent games they are averaging just 42% from the field, but the Bucks do have some decent shooters and that may allow them to at least give Orlando something to think about if they can find some rhythm from beyond the three point arc.

The Magic have not exactly been lighting things up when they have the ball and that is down to being without some key pieces of the rotation that make a big impact Offensively. However, they have found a bit of a balanced approach, which can keep the Milwaukee Bucks guessing, while Orlando have won two in a row to at least enter this NBA Cup game with some momentum.

Not only do the home team have the kind of three point shooters that can match the Bucks, but there is an intensity to the Rebounding and that could see Orlando build up second chance opportunities. That is when Defensive schemes can collapse and players can find much more open shooting lanes, which will give Orlando an edge and a chance to pull away.

These teams have not faced one another since March 2026 in a game that ended in a 39 point win for the Orlando Magic.

It is very unlikely that the margin is repeated, but Orlando will be looking for a strong win and that motivation could see them move past the spread set.

Prediction

Lay the points with the home favourite as the NBA Cup continues on Friday.

The Pick :

Orlando Magic 114-98 Milwaukee Bucks

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Orlando Magic - 8.5 Points at -110 with Bovada