A poor third quarter once again doomed the Orlando Magic as the Milwaukee Bucks tightened the screws defensively and frustrated the Magic again.
The Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks exchanged blows, both succeeding and struggling on offense at the same time. Aaron Gordon was standing up to Giannis Antetokounmpo, getting him in foul trouble in the first half. The Magic were playing with the spirit and energy they needed. This one might be a fight.
Slowly the grip loosened. The Bucks started to pull away. In the final moments of the second quarter, a three-point lead became seven. And then extended out to 11. Bismack Biyombo fouled Khris Middleton on a jumper with a foul to give, allowing the Bucks to take a seven-point lead into the locker room.
The momentum was getting away.
And then the third quarter. That dastardly third quarter. The bane of the Magic’s existence. Where the team’s energy goes to die and the deficit balloons.
The Bucks ran past the Magic in the third quarter yet again, scoring 36 points on 16-for-20 shooting, in a deceptively close 110-103 win at BMO Harris Bradley Center on Wednesday. Only a late rally from the Magic’s deep reserves made the score look close. This was a game and a second half the Bucks dominated through and through.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored at will in the third quarter on his way to 26 points, holding Aaron Gordon down on the other end. He scored just 11 points, missing his final 11 shots on a 4-for-18 night.
The Bucks, usually a poor defensive team, stifled the Magic. Milwaukee kept Orlando from moving the ball effectively. That is when the Magic actually were able to initiate their sets. Their half-court offense was stagnant.
Orlando needed to get the ball moving and still tallied 26 assists on 39 field goal makes. But too often, the team’s initial attacks were stopped and the team looked lost on where to go. There were too many contested jumpers in the half court and uninspiring sets. The Magic were trying to go one on one too much. Against Milwaukee’s length, that is always a problem.
Credit to the Magic’s bench players like Mario Hezonja, Shelvin Mack, Wesley Iwundu and starter Bismack Biyombo. They made the game close with some energy and transition opportunities late. But the Magic continue to play like the worst team in the league.
Watching these games, it is hard to argue.
Next: Orlando Magic not tough enough
The Orlando Magic finish their road trip in Washington against the Washington Wizards on Friday.