The Orlando Magic will breathe a sigh of relief on Friday as they are expected to have All-Star Paolo Banchero back from a lengthy 34-game absence. Banchero, who was averaging a stellar 29 points per game in the early season, including a remarkable 50-point performance on October 28, is set to return just in time for a crucial home game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Orlando has faced significant challenges in Banchero’s absence, with other key players such as Franz Wagner (24.4 ppg) and Moritz Wagner (12.9 ppg) also sidelined due to injuries. Franz has been out since December 6 with an oblique injury, while Moritz’s season ended abruptly on December 21 with a torn ACL. Additionally, Jalen Suggs (16.4 ppg) is currently dealing with a lower back strain.
The Magic’s struggles were evident in their recent 104-89 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where they shot just 37.9% from the field and made only 10 of 40 three-point attempts. Goga Bitadze led the team with 15 points.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are entering the matchup on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Toronto Raptors by 24 points and the San Antonio Spurs by 16 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the league’s second-leading scorer with 31.3 points per game, played a pivotal role in these victories, including a 25-point, 16-rebound, and 8-assist performance against the Spurs.
Milwaukee’s defense has been a standout in their consecutive wins, a testament to coach Doc Rivers’ emphasis on that end of the floor. Alongside Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard has been a significant contributor, averaging 24.8 points and a team-high 7.4 assists per game, with 26 points and 8 assists against San Antonio.
The last meeting between these teams on December 10 saw the Bucks secure a 114-109 victory over the Magic, thanks to a 37-point effort from Antetokounmpo. The teams are set to face off again on Wednesday in Milwaukee.
As Orlando looks to rejuvenate its season with the return of Banchero, can the Magic overcome their injury setbacks and hold off the high-flying Bucks?
