The Orlando Magic came up a play short against the Milwaukee Bucks but saw another strong performance from Nikola Vucevic to bolster the lineup.
Evan Fournier would be at the center of three key plays for the Orlando Magic late in their 113-110 loss at BMO Harris Bradley Center on Friday.
After Nikola Vucevic blocked a Giannis Antetokounmpo layup, Evan Fournier dug in and got a jump ball against him. That is a jump ball he had no hope of winning, he just needed a teammate to dig out the tip.
Jabari Parker was the one who got it. He posted up Vucevic and drove past him to lay it in and give the Bucks a one-point lead.
Fournier would then get his chance. Coming around a screen he got the ball and drove the lane. Khris Middleton was there waiting and Fournier saw him a bit too late. His drop-down pass to Victor Oladipo came after Middleton drew a charge.
The Bucks took a three-point lead after two free throws and Fournier’s last-second 3-pointer over Mason Plumlee was off the back iron. The Magic came up a play short and were left wondering where things went wrong again.
Was it the Bucks’ length and ability to close passing lanes and pressure the Magic’s resurgent motion offense? Was it the Magic’s inability to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker and the Bucks’ other drivers into the paint? Was it the Magic going tight once again in the clutch, reverting to pick and rolls and isolations rather than the motion? Again, more questions to ponder.