Stephen Nover's NBA Thursday Top Ticket
(NBA) Milwaukee vs. Orlando,
Point Spread: 4.50 | -110.00 Orlando (Home)
Result: Loss
Both of these teams are in rebuilding mode. The Bucks have made bigger strides this season under Jason Kidd and own the stronger bench, but Orlando has the better talent with Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and an improving rookie point guard in Elfrid Payton.




Even though Miami and Orlando are way down this season, it's still not that easy to do the Florida two-step and beat the Heat and Magic in consecutive road games, which is what the Bucks are trying to do.




The Magic have absolutely owned Milwaukee in Orlando winning the past 17 times! The last time the Bucks won in Orlando was 2004. That sustained kind of history can't be discounted. The Magic usually give the Bucks problems covering in nine of the last 12 meetings.




Orlando has dropped 12 of its last 14. The Magic players and coach Jacque Vaughn believe their team is very close to turning things around. Orlando has been idle since Monday. Milwaukee is playing its third consecutive road game and is minus Jabari Parker and Larry Sanders in the middle.




The Magic's next three games are against Western Conference foes the Mavericks, Spurs and Thunder. That's likely three more losses. This is the matchup they want. So they should be well prepared and motivated.