Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 122, Milwaukee Bucks 110

For the second year in a row, the Orlando Magic have shocked a higher-seeded team in Game 1, executing the game plan to upset the Milwaukee Bucks.

In the first round of last season’s playoffs, the Orlando Magic stunned the 2-seed Toronto Raptors on a last-second shot by DJ Augustin. In Game 1 of this year’s first-round series versus the Milwaukee Bucks, the Orlando Magic have done it again.

This time in even more convincing fashion.

The numbers do not even do it justice and the game was not as close as the final score reads. The Magic put together their most complete performance since the NBA’s return, possibly their most complete performance all season in a 122-110 victory over the Bucks to take a 1-0 series lead. This is one fans will remember for a long, long time.

Steve Clifford’s incredible game plan was executed to a tee. The Magic controlled the pace, attempting 41 3-pointers and shooting almost 50-percent from the field. They were engaged and active on defense, forcing 16 turnovers and recording six steals.

Most importantly, they made life difficult for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Despite having 31 points and 17 rebounds, the Magic kept Antetokounmpo in check for most of the game, including huge stretches of the fourth quarter. Antetokounmpo picked up most of his points with hustle plays and scrappy rebounding. But he could not get going in transition, blunting much of the Bucks’ devastating effectiveness.

Milwaukee averaged 19 fast-break points per game against Orlando in four meetings this season. The Bucks managed only 10 for the game Tuesday.

Defending Giannis Antetokounmpo was a team effort, spearheaded by Gary Clark, standing in for Aaron Gordon who was out with a strained hamstring once again. It became clear early the Magic had intentions of packing it in on the fast break, helping off shooters, and “walling up” to make Antetokounmpo earn every point.

This plan was executed to perfection. The physicality of this strategy created many frustrations for the Bucks.

This battle was won in the trenches. The Magic clogged the paint, made contact on cuts and any movements, and packed it in to prevent dribble penetration.

On the offensive end, the Magic relied heavily on the high pick and pop with Markelle Fultz and Nikola Vucevic. With Nikola Vucevic hitting shots all game and Markelle Fultz taking advantage of open driving lanes, many wing players found clear looks and knocked them down.

Coming in as 13.5-point underdogs, a lot had to go right for the Magic to put up a win like this. The execution and energy looked like a different team than we have seen in the last few weeks.

Moving forward the recipe will be much of the same: be active on defense, take the punches, outplay their bench, take care of the ball, and push the pace.

They looked lethargic in stretches and even coach Mike Budenholzer looked confused at some points. There was little support around Giannis Antetokounmpo, as both Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe had mediocre performances. An even bigger concern is a lack of energy and consistency from the rest of the supporting cast. Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton and company had a rough go at it.

The team stats reflect this: 43.3-percent shooting, 64.3-percent from the free-throw line, 16 turnovers and only 10 fast-break points. A major concern moving forward is the lack of homecourt advantage. As many have stated, there will not be 18,000 fans cheering to help get Milwaukee’s energy up. That will all be left to them. They could not find the energy in this game.

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The Milwaukee Bucks have not looked like the same team that tore up the regular season before its postponement back in March. They are now 3-6 in the bubble. As much as this game was about the Orlando Magic playing well, the Milwaukee Bucks did not perform like how we know they can.

They looked lethargic in stretches and even coach Mike Budenholzer looked confused at some points. There was little support around Giannis Antetokounmpo, as both Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe had mediocre performances. An even bigger concern is a lack of energy and consistency from the rest of the supporting cast. Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton and company had a rough go at it.

The team stats reflect this: 43.3-percent shooting, 64.3-percent from the free-throw line, 16 turnovers and only 10 fast-break points. A major concern moving forward is the lack of homecourt advantage. As many have stated, there will not be 18,000 fans cheering to help get Milwaukee’s energy up. That will all be left to them. They could not find the energy in this game.