Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Jan. 20 at Orlando Magic

Nov 27, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to get by Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) in the second half at Amway Center. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to get by Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) in the second half at Amway Center. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 27, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives past Milwaukee Bucks guard Jason Terry (3) in the second half at Amway Center. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives past Milwaukee Bucks guard Jason Terry (3) in the second half at Amway Center. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Finale

I’m not a huge believer in must-win games, especially in January, but this one might end up being key later on. The Bucks schedule gets tough after this Florida road trip.

After this game and the next against the Miami Heat, the Bucks play the Houston Rockets, the surging Philadelphia 76ers, the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics and the Utah Jazz. That’s a tough slate, and the Raptors and Celtics games make up a back-to-back for the Bucks.

Milwaukee will cross that bridge when the team comes to it, but collecting a win in Orlando is the first step to lasting through that stretch of the schedule with a playoff spot still at hand.

Predictions and Leaderboard:

Rohan Katti: Bucks by 8 — 26-15, 464 point differential

Lukas Harkins:  Magic by 2 — 23-18, 464 point differential

Adam Coffman: Bucks by 6 — 24-17, 472 point differential

Tom Pheister: Bucks by 7 — 24-17, 510 point differential

Adam McGee: Bucks by 14 — 23-18, 510 point differential

Jordan Treske: Bucks by 10 — 22-19, 545 point differential

Tim Wray: Bucks by 7 — 22-19, 481 point differential

Ti Windisch: Bucks by 3 — 21-20, 493 point differential

Next: Bucks Player Power Rankings, Jan. 12 - Jan. 18

The game is on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports Wisconsin.