The (16-6) Milwaukee Bucks will visit the (5-19) Orlando Magic Monday for a battle between Eastern Conference foes. On Saturday, the Bucks defeated Charlotte 105-96, and the Magic were defeated 121-108 by Toronto. The two teams have not met yet this season. The Bucks are eight-point spread favorites, and the game total is 226.5 points. Tip-off from Amway Center is at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Bucks are glad to have Middleton back
Milwaukee has won four of its past five, bouncing back from its loss to Los Angeles on Friday with a nine-point victory over the Hornets on Saturday. The Bucks won without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday, as Bobby Portis scored 20 points, Jordan Nwora added 17 points, and Brook Lopez and Jevon Carter each scored 14. It was a true team effort, as Milwaukee recorded assists on 24 of its 39 made buckets.
“Everybody gives themselves up for the betterment of the team,” Portis said. “Everybody sacrifices and works extremely hard on this team. There are no egos.”

This season, Milwaukee is averaging 112.7 points on 46.0 percent shooting, including 35.2 percent from deep. The defense is surrendering 108.0 points on 44.8 percent shooting from the floor and 35.3 percent from distance. Its’ defensive rating, adjusted for opponent, is ranked 4th in the NBA, and its offensive rating is ranked 18th, per Dunks and Threes. The Bucks’ offensive rating should improve, though, with the recent return of three-time All-Star forward Middleton and the eventual return of guard Joe Ingles.

The Magic are not winning without Wendell Carter and Jalen Suggs
The Magic have not been exciting to watch this year, losing eight straight and nine of their past ten. The Raptors routed Orlando on Saturday, shooting a season-best 56.0 percent from the floor (47-for-84). The Magic didn’t have their full arsenal of options, though, as they were without Wendell Carter Jr. (injured right foot) and point guard Jalen Suggs (ankle injury). Carter Jr. is averaging 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while Suggs is contributing 12.4 points and 5.4 assists this season. Bol Bol scored 18 points, the only Magic starter to reach double digits, and rookie forward Paolo Banchero shot 2-for-8 from the field (nine points).

The Magic can’t get out of their own way, which may or may not be coincidental with a potential superstar in 7-foot-2 French star Victor Wembanyama available in the upcoming NBA Draft. Orlando is scoring 107.8 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting, ranking 26th in adjusted offensive rating, per Dunks and Threes. The defense, ranked 27th in adjusted defensive rating, is surrendering 114.4 points on 48.2 percent shooting but is limiting their opponents to 34.2 percent shooting from distance and only 41.0 rebounds per game.

Orlando can’t win without Carter Jr. and Suggs, who have both missed multiple straight games. Banchero has impressed in his rookie season (21.8 PPG and 6.5 RPG on 46.0 percent shooting), but the Magic roster isn’t deep or experienced enough to get through the grind that is an NBA season without all of their young pups. Shooting guard Gary Harris and center Mo Bamba are also questionable for Monday’s game versus Milwaukee.