Orlando Magic Grades: Milwaukee Bucks 110, Orlando Magic 101
The Orlando Magic’s win streak came to an end at four, as they could not keep the Milwaukee Bucks under control and find their shot again.
101. 38. 110. 89. Final
There is one shot the Orlando Magic were perfectly fine with the Milwaukee Bucks taking. Yes, they might like a stronger challenge to it, but if everyone else can get themselves set to rebound while Giannis Antetokounmpo measures his next move, they will take it. It is a rare respite against one of the most potent offenses in the league.
Antetokounmpo is so full of potential when he has the ball when left open beyond the arc he knows what he should do, but it still takes time for him to get there. And the Magic were happy to let him think and stew until he finally fired.
Antetokounmpo had done a number on the Magic on the inside. Despite some stern defense from Aaron Gordon and shot-blocking from Jonathan Isaac, he still found holes in transition to score and a way to attack the glass.
But here, he was lining up a 3-pointer. He had made one earlier in the third quarter, this one would seemingly bury the Magic for good. Milwaukee had built an 18-point lead thanks to a stifling defense that kept Orlando off the board. The Magic did not help themselves with missed shots.
This was not going to be their night. Not against the best team in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic have some character though. They were not going to give in so easily. Suddenly the team started cooking. Orlando went on a 13-0 run to draw near the end of third quarter, getting to within five on a Terrence Ross 3-pointer.
The Magic were more than willing to grind. And when they could control the tempo of the game with their defense and their controlled fast breaks before the Bucks could get set, they could find their rhythm and attack.
Orlando had its chance to win the game. But Antetokounmpo is always there. He was always willing to get to work. And the Bucks have surrounded him with enough shooting to give him space and make teams pay.
The Bucks never extended their lead out to the insane amounts they have put them to lately during their now-15-game win streak. But the Bucks still never were challenged after taking their lead back out in a 110-101 win over the Magic at Fiserv Forum on Monday.
Orlando is still looking for a resume-building win so to speak, struggling against winning teams. Once again, the Magic looked like they might get outclasses but kept fighting to make it a game. No one should question the team’s character on that front.
But the Magic again could not hit shots at key moments and made turnovers off opportunities to cut into the lead. Add in the Bucks’ work on the offensive glass and that was enough to keep the Magic at arm’s length.
B-. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
JONATHAN ISAAC. B. Similar to Aaron Gordon, <a href=. F. Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS. B+. The Orlando Magic’s run to get back into this game came from the same group that let the deficit get out of control in the first half. The bench has struggled for the Magic as they seek the right combinations and usually goes with the shooting whims of <a href=. G/F
C-. The Orlando Magic have faith <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. KHEM BIRCH
MILWAUKEE BUCKS. B. The Milwaukee Bucks have set the bar ridiculously high for themselves during this now-15-game win streak. They have blown out opponents with ease and Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting up some insane numbers. Even in a game where the Orlando Magic played some decent defense against him, Antetokounmpo put up some insane numbers — 32 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.<p>The rest of the Bucks had their struggles though. Yes, Milwaukee ended up hitting 16 of 41 3-pointers. That was the real difference in the game. But outside of <a rel=. 21-3. 1st East
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The Orlando Magic are now 11-12 on the season. They return home to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.