Orlando Magic Grades: Milwaukee Bucks 113, Orlando Magic 91
The Orlando Magic struggled to get their offense going and struggled even more defensively as the Milwaukee Bucks won easily.
89. Final. 91. 38. 113
The Orlando Magic clearly had something in the early stages of their first trip to Fiserv Forum.
Jonathan Isaac came flying from behind to block a layup attempt from Eric Bledsoe off the backboard and Aaron Gordon got a hand on it for good measure. It was their version of the double block that sparked so much glee during Summer League.
It got better when Jonathan Isaac tipped a pass from Giannis Antetokounmpo and created a turnover. He led it down the court and found Aaron Gordon racing ahead for an overhead jam alley-oop.
That glimmer is what the Magic want to see. A perfect example of defense leading to offense.
But it was a glimmer. A brief flash of what this team wants to be. But not what it is. The Magic are far away from that.
Not with Antetokounmpo leading the charge or the Milwaukee Bucks’ five-out attack. There was a lot of space for the Bucks to attack and the Magic gave it to them. Their initial spurt of defensive energy dissipated — some because the team was missing a large number of shots.
But most of it was because the team struggled to keep up with a Bucks team that was far more talented and far more together than the Magic. Or, maybe as coach Steve Clifford would put it, more organized.
It was another setback for the Magic as they fell to the Bucks 113-91 on Saturday. A game where the team once again never really threatened the lead after giving it up midway through the first quarter. Even with Antetokounmpo missing most of the third quarter.
The Magic struggled to get the ball moving, often settling for 3-pointers or tough mid-range shots. There was no purpose to their offensive movement. Orlando took a team-record 43 3-pointers and made only 10. The Magic took 101 total shots and shot just 32.7 percent.
Orlando is not going to tear the world up offensively, but the team was not in a rhythm offensively. The Bucks kept forcing them into bad shots. And the Magic kept taking the bait.
Orlando still has a long way to climb seemingly unable to repeat the strong defensive performances. It was surely a game that left Clifford frustrated as the Magic try to find their identity once again.
F. Orlando Magic. JONATHAN ISAAC. C+. Jonathan Isaac was one of the few players whose energy stayed relatively consistent and active throughout. Even as the team seemed to fall deeper into the hole, Isaac was still willing to mix things up and chase the ball. That is a good sign from the young player.<p>He is still a bit raw on that end. As good as Isaac can be defensively and as active as he can be, he still falls into traps and still has his struggles staying in front of his man consistently and avoiding foul trouble. That has been a story for him throughout the year.</p><p>Isaac is looking more confident. The kinds of shots he is taking when the ball comes to him and how he attacks are much further along than he was last year. But the efficiency and the assertiveness still leaving something lacking. Isaac missed all six of his shots in this game. And that hurt the team. He missed some of them badly too. Isaac was hopeful but ultimately production matters.</p>
D. On that front too, Aaron Gordon’s inconsistent production is leaving a lot to be desired too. The Orlando Magic are obviously counting on Gordon to produce for the team. He is one of the leaders on the team and his play sets the tone for the entire team in a lot of ways — along with the other co-captains in <a rel=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
C. Orlando Magic. MOHAMED BAMBA. C. <a href=
B. In a game where the Orlando Magic seemed to struggle to find their energy and find a way to impact the game positively, someone playing well and with energy becomes noticeable. Even in limited minutes.<p>It was always going to be tough to find <a href=. F/C. Orlando Magic. KHEM BIRCH
A. The Milwaukee Bucks are on another level from the Orlando Magic. That was clear before the game with the expectations they face this year. But through six games, the Bucks are probably the best team the Magic have faced. And that is not even close. They are on the same page, have one of the best players in the league who can ease his way through games and they are seemingly getting better.<p>Their now 6-0 record is no fluke. The Bucks have figured something out and coach Mike Budenholzer has put them in a better position to succeed.</p><p>The Bucks tore the Magic apart with strong cutting and floor spacing. Antetokounmpo made six of his eight shots in the first half and almost all of them were at the rim. He finished with 21. The Bucks shot 50.0 percent from the floor and paraded to the line in the first half. It was a clinic.</p>. 6-0. 1st East. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Next. Aaron Gordon taking steps to continue growth. dark
The Orlando Magic return home Tuesday to take on the Sacramento Kings as they try to get on the right track.