It’s rare that Dwight Howard steps on the court and is not the dominant big man. With the way Ersan Ilyasova is playing, Howard might have a challenge on Monday. SportsOptions.com has tonight’s betting preview and free pick from Milwaukee.
Orlando at Milwaukee (+3, 188)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, February 20, 2012
Where: Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
THE STORY: Ilyasova dominated the New Jersey Nets on Sunday with career highs of 29 points and 25 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 92-85 victory. Howard put up 26 points and 20 boards in a 94-85 win over the Bucks on Friday but is coming off a disappointing game as the Orlando Magic had their four-game winning streak snapped on Sunday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, SunSports (Magic), FS Wisconsin (Bucks)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (20-12): Orlando dominated the fourth quarter against the Bucks on Friday, outscoring them 22-11 in the final period. Howard kept his team in the game until Hedo Turkoglu and the outside shooters found their rhythm late. No one on the Magic found much of a rhythm Sunday, as the team shot 36.5 percent in a 90-78 loss at Miami. Orlando averaged 99.5 points during their winning streak and has been held under 90 in each of its last two setbacks.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (13-18): Ilyasova made his first start since Jan. 10 on Friday against Orlando and turned in a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. But it was Sunday against the Nets that he really stepped up. Ilyasova’s 25 boards tied Howard for the highest mark in a game this season and came against a usually stout New Jersey front line. With Andrew Bogut injured, Milwaukee has been looking for someone to fill the void in the middle. The Bucks had dropped four straight prior to Sunday and will play four of five on the road after Monday.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Orlando has taken five straight and eight of the last nine in the series.
2. Howard has averaged 18.6 points and 13.2 rebounds in 25 career games against Milwaukee.
3. Bucks backup center Tobias Harris (shoulder) was hurt Friday and will likely be out until after the All-Star break.
PREDICTION: Magic 99, Bucks 92
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