The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Orlando Magic for the second time in less than a week on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Bucks Preview
The Bucks (21-17) are coming off a convincing 130-115 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. This win was largely due to standout performances by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Key players for the Bucks include:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Recorded his 50th career regular season triple-double with 33 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee with averages of 31.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.
- Damian Lillard: Added 24 points and seven assists.
Head coach Doc Rivers highlighted the impact of Antetokounmpo and Lillard’s passing abilities on their offense. The Bucks will be without Gary Trent Jr. and Khris Middleton due to injuries from the second part of their back-to-back.
Orlando Magic Preview
The Magic (23-18) are coming off a 104-99 home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, extending their season record to 23-18. Orlando has rested since their Sunday game, putting them in prime condition to face the Bucks. However, they are still dealing with numerous injuries.
Key players for the Magic include:
- Paolo Banchero: Scored 20 points in his second game back from injury, with seven points in the final 1:32 of the game. Banchero averages 28.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
- Cole Anthony: Led the team with 27 points in their recent game.
Orlando’s injury report remains busy, with Franz Wagner, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Goga Bitadze all expected to miss the game due to various injuries.
Key Matchup
The key matchup to watch will be between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paolo Banchero. Both players are focal points for their respective teams and can significantly impact the outcome with their performances. Additionally, keeping an eye on Damian Lillard’s playmaking and Cole Anthony’s scoring output will be crucial.
