Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 103, Milwaukee Bucks 83
The Orlando Magic defense closed the faucet and shut down the Milwaukee Bucks in a complete and strong performance on both ends.
103. 38. 83. 89. Final
Eric Bledsoe powered his way through Evan Fournier as he backtracked trying to get the defense set. This was the formula the Milwaukee Bucks used a few weeks ago at the Amway Center to defeat the Orlando Magic. Bledsoe just attacked and attacked and attacked, getting to the basket and getting a rhythm to set up his outside shot.
The Bucks’ two All-Stars in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton did the rest in that one. So when Bledsoe lofted the ball easily into the rim for an 8-0 Milwaukee lead, it felt like Orlando was in for more pain at point guard. Even with Antetokounmpo out.
Coach Steve Clifford called a timeout as the Magic came out without the edge they needed.
From that point on, Orlando would have that edge. From that point on, the Magic were not going to let the game get away from them.
Orlando stormed back and then some on the road at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, defeating Milwaukee 103-83 in a runaway victory. The Magic took the lead thanks to their offensive ball movement and then built the lead thanks to a killer defense that held the Bucks to 15 points in the third quarter.
This game represented perhaps the Orlando Magic’s most complete performance on both ends since the win over the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 21.
The Magic did a fantastic job forcing perimeter shots and walling off the paint. The Bucks scored just 46 points in the paint. They typically average 54.7 points in the paint. But Milwaukee also shot just 6 for 35 from beyond the arc. Without Antetokounmpo’s ability to slice through defenses and cause it to collapse, Milwaukee could not get as many open or quality looks.
But the Magic did their work to wall off the paint. They played good defense, getting deflections and fast break opportunities.
The Magic’s offense had its low moments. There were times where neither team could score very much. But Orlando kept the pressure on.
The only weakness was the team’s penchant for giving up offensive rebounds — 12 for 10 points — and that became marginal by the end of the game.
Orlando was able to throw down and get a victory. Something the team can build on.
A+. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. JONATHAN ISAAC
G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS. A. <a href=
A. <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. ISAIAH BRISCOE
NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B+. It is good when <a href=. C. Orlando Magic
1st East. MILWAUKEE BUCKS. C-. The Milwaukee Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo. That puts a big asterisk on the importance of this game for the Milwaukee Bucks and the value of the win for the Orlando Magic. It certainly leveled the playing field some. But the Bucks should be good enough to compete with the Magic with Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton.<p>Both those players just did not step up the way the team needed. At least after that fast start. Bledsoe finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. He was still someone the Magic struggled to account for without a strong defender at point guard. Middleton scored just 11 points on 4-for-17 shooting.</p><p>The poor shooting and inability to drive the paint were big issues for the team. Milwaukee made just 6 of 35 3-pointers. That is not going to be a formula for the Bucks to win. Milwaukee was desperate for the gravity Antetokounmpo creates.</p>. 41-14
Next. Markelle Futlz move still a risk for Orlando Magic. dark
The Orlando Magic are right back to action Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. The Orlando Magic are currently 2.5 games behind the Miami Heat for the final spot in the Playoffs.