The Orlando Magic took a surprising Game 1 victory, dominating the Milwaukee Bucks. Game 2 will be a different battle and could determine if they have a chance to win.
Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks (ORL leads series 1-0)
Time/TV:
6 p.m./ESPN, FOX Sports Florida
FOLLOW LIVE2020 Season Series:
in Orlando on Nov. 1;
in Milwaukee on Dec. 9;
in Milwaukee on Dec. 28;
in Orlando on Feb. 8
Playoff Series:Game 1 –
; Game 2 – Thursday at 6 p.m.; Game 3 — Saturday at 1 p.m.; Game 4 — Monday at 1:30 p.m.
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 106.0 | 114.0 | 104.8 | 58.4 | 15.2 | 14.0 | 21.3 |
| Milwaukee | 106.0 | 104.8 | 114.0 | 51.1 | 22.0 | 15.2 | 31.1 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic shocked the entire NBA with their surprising Game 1 win. It was not merely that they won, but they led almost the entire way. They dominated the game. The Magic had a lot to be happy about and the belief they can do it again. A lot of it can be replicated. But how much? Will Orlando make all those shots again? Will the team execute at that high a level? The bigger question: Will the Milwaukee Bucks play with desperation and can the Orlando Magic withstand it? The Bucks will play better. They will be sharper defensively and quicker offensively. But I think Orlando proves the team is not going anywhere in this series.
1) The Orlando Magic learned a lot of lessons from last year’s Playoff appearance. The biggest one is building upon their Game 1 win and preparing for the Game 2 counterpunch, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes. The Bucks know they have to play much harder and the Magic know this too, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
2) Aaron Gordon and Michael Carter-Williams are still working their way back from injury and are still uncertain to play in Game 2, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
3) The Orlando Magic quickly and effectively built a wall to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo. A problem the Milwaukee Bucks have to solve, Eric Nehm of The Athletic writes.
4) Seth Partnow of The Athletic wonders if the Milwaukee Bucks’ gamble about the shots they give up is finally running dry for them after the Orlando Magic exposed them in Game 1.
5) Role players like James Ennis and Gary Clark stepped up big in the Orlando Magic’s Game 1 win.
6) The Milwaukee Bucks’ loss in Game 1 was the culmination of a long defensive slide in the bubble, Jordan Treske of Behind The Buck Pass writes.
7) The Orlando Magic’s young players will prove to be a key difference for the team, Omar Cabrera writes.
8) Nikola Vucevic is still vital and was the catalyst to the Orlando Magic’s shocking Game 1 win.
9) Giannis Antetokounmpo needs to maintain his composure for the Milwaukee Bucks to succeed in the playoffs, John Likanje of The Step Back writes.
10) The Milwaukee Bucks are exactly where they do not want to be — exposed and lacking the moxie that carried them through the regular season, Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports writes.
11) The Orlando Magic have to continue to stop fast breaks to have any chance of defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, Spencer Henderson writes.
12) The Milwaukee Bucks were frustrated with their effort and focus in a Game 1 loss. The Bucks simply did not execute their gameplan effectively and expected the Magic to roll over, Mitchell Maurer of Brew Hoop writes.
13) The lack of fans in the Playoffs is creating a different atmosphere that the Milwaukee Bucks seemed to admit had some factor in their Game 1 loss.
14) Garrett Townsend of Orlando Pinstriped Post breaks down how the Orlando Magic upset the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1.
15) Markelle Fultz will remain a key playmaker and contributor to get the Orlando Magic’s offense moving against the Milwaukee Bucks.
16) To get a second win, the Orlando Magic need to make sure they do the simple things well.
17) Meet the Milwaukee Bucks with help from Adam McGee and Jordan Treske of Behind the Buck Pass. And I discuss the Orlando Magic with Behind the Buck Pass.
18) Matthew Way of Hoops breaks down the key matchups and storylines from the Orlando Magic’s series with the Milwaukee Bucks.
19) Pat Welter of Spectrum Sports 360 lives through the experience of being a virtual fan at an Orlando Magic game.
20) Chuma Okeke released an album with six songs for his birthday on Tuesday.
21) The Orlando Magic’s long-term future and development took a hit with Mohamed Bamba’s departure from the campus.