The Magic will open their two-game homestand with a game against the NBA Cup champions, the Bucks, and they will come into the game with high confidence since one of their star players will make their much-awaited return. After a 33-game absence, Paolo Banchero is back on the court for Orlando, which should give them a huge jolt even if he’ll be under a minutes restriction.
Elsewhere, the Warriors, Pelicans, Kings, Thunder, Wizards, and Nets will visit the Pacers, Sixers, Celtics, Knicks, Bulls, and Nuggets, respectively, so avid fans will get their fair share of fun basketball action.
There is so much to look forward to tomorrow’s seven-game schedule, and SBOTOP is here to preview the top three matches in another busy night in the Association. Continue reading below to learn more.
Golden State Warriors @ Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are slowly building momentum, winning four consecutive games, and they’re keen to make it five in a row before they face the Cavaliers in a back-to-back set next week.
Tyrese Haliburton has come alive during the Pacers’ unbeaten run, averaging 24.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 11.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on 50.8-per cent shooting from the field and 48.6-per cent shooting from three-point land. However, he is considered questionable to play tomorrow, as Haliburton is dealing with a sprained ankle. If Haliburton is ruled out, TJ McConnell will be the starting point guard.
Indiana beat Golden State in their first meeting this season last December, with Myles Turner leading the way with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. He missed the team’s most recent win against the Bulls due to an illness and he’s in danger of missing a second consecutive game.
The Warriors snapped their two-game losing streak with a narrow win over the Pistons last Thursday. Buddy Hield spearheaded Golden State’s charge with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and five three-pointers. Stephen Curry and Trayce Jackson-Davis added 17 and 14 points, respectively. Curry went 5-for-21 from the field (including 2-for-14 from deep) against Detroit, and he must shoot better against Indiana.
Betting tip – Indiana Pacers Asian Handicap -8.00 @ 1.94
Milwaukee Bucks @ Orlando Magic
The injury bug has ravaged the Magic in the past few weeks. But still, they’re fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 22-17 record, one notch above the fifth-seeded Bucks (19-16).
Since the start of the new calendar year, Orlando have had a mixed bag of NBA 2025 results, with wins against Brooklyn, Toronto, and New York, and losses against Detroit, Utah, and Minnesota. During their blowout defeat against the Timberwolves, the Magic were severely undermanned.
And this is why Paolo Banchero’s imminent return is huge, since it gives Orlando a better chance of winning, according to the NBA 2025 odds. Before he suffered a torn oblique last October, the former NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 49.5-per cent shooting from the field in five games.
The Bucks are on a two-game winning streak after beating the Raptors and Spurs earlier this week. Damian Lillard led Milwaukee in scoring in those victories, while Giannis Antetokounmpo posted solid all-around numbers.
Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers recently confirmed that Khris Middleton will be benched for the foreseeable future. Since returning from an offseason ankle surgery, Middleton averages 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 43.8-per cent shooting from the field in 13 appearances (seven starts). Let’s see if this bold move will be a masterstroke for the one-time NBA champion mentor.
Betting tip – Milwaukee Bucks Asian Handicap -5.00 @ 1.90
Oklahoma City Thunder @ New York Knicks
The Thunder and Knicks will clash for the second time in seven days, with the former winning the previous matchup as part of their then-15-game winning streak.
Oklahoma City saw their long undefeated run end at the hands of Cleveland last Wednesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 31 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks on 48.1-per cent shooting from the field, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Cavaliers, who now have a 12-game winning streak.
Since losing to the Thunder, the Knicks lost back-to-back games against the Bulls and the Magic, but they bounced back with a timely win against the lowly Raptors. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby combined for 54 points in the blowout victory last Wednesday. New York are sweating on Karl-Anthony Towns’ availability tomorrow since he has been listed as questionable for the Oklahoma City contest due to a knee injury.
Betting tip – Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -3.50 @ 2.00
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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