si
The Milwaukee Bucks will try to put an end to their eight-game losing streak on Friday night when they travel to Orlando to face the Magic. The contest also marks Milwaukee's second NBA Cup game, following a 121-107 defeat to the Toronto Raptors last week.
To get a better understanding of the Magic ahead of the matchup, Magic On SI's Jeremy Brener answered five key questions about the Orlando-Milwaukee clash.
Sean Sweeney's Transition to Head Coach
Brener noted that former Bucks assistant Sean Sweeney has faced a challenging start as Orlando's head coach. Several key rotation players have been sidelined by injuries, but Sweeney has remained composed throughout. The team is gradually establishing its identity under him, and he avoids overreacting to any single result, whether a win or a loss. Brener emphasized that this steadiness is crucial for a team that shouldn't panic after a slow start, especially given the length of the season and the lofty goals the organization has set.
X-Factor: Anthony Black
According to Brener, Franz Wagner has been outstanding while Paolo Banchero has been out, but the Magic need another offensive contributor to step up. That player is Anthony Black. Since entering the league in 2023, Black has been the key to unlocking a higher level for Orlando. The team has reached the playoffs in each of his seasons, and it generally performs better when he is on the floor and playing well. When he struggles, the team's overall production drops significantly. In the three wins Black has played in, he is averaging 20.8 points per game; in the losses he has appeared in, that average falls to 14.8 points per contest.
Under-the-Radar Contributors
Brener identified Jamal Cain and Tristan da Silva as players who have stepped up in Banchero's absence, providing valuable minutes off the bench. Both were on the injury report for Orlando's last game against the Utah Jazz, so their availability against Milwaukee is uncertain. Da Silva has been particularly effective from three-point range this season, converting 40 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Cain, meanwhile, recorded a double-double against the Golden State Warriors, which earned him a start in the following game against the Sacramento Kings.
Potential Trade Targets
When asked about Bucks veterans who might interest Orlando as trade candidates, Brener pointed to AJ Green as the most intriguing player. However, he cautioned that the Magic are unlikely to make any trades until future restrictions are lifted. It remains unclear what direction Orlando will take during trade season, but the team hopes to be a buyer rather than a seller. If losses continue to mount, they could pivot, but the organization recognizes that injuries have prevented a fair evaluation of the roster. Once everyone is healthy and the team finds its rhythm, it will have a genuine opportunity to assess its talent and decide on a course of action.
Game Prediction
Brener predicted that the Magic will secure their first home win of the season, building on the momentum from back-to-back victories over the Kings and Jazz. With the Bucks struggling, Orlando will look to capitalize and improve to 2-0 in its NBA Cup group.
Ti Windisch has covered the Milwaukee Bucks and Wisconsin Herd since 2015, including as host of the Gyro Step podcast since 2019. His first favorite Buck was Brandon Knight, and he was the one who asked the question that prompted Brandon Jennings to declare that "Bucks in 6 is for the culture." Follow Ti on Twitter.