Orlando’s second date in Milwaukee for Game Day 18 is tonight. It again sees the Magic face the Bucks to close their challenging road trip. This game is another huge test for a young Magic squad against the NBA’s defending champions.
The tip time is shown on the Orlando Magic website as being 1:00am here in the UK (8pm Eastern for our friends in Orlando).
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The Matchup For Orlando’s Second Date In Milwaukee On Game Day 18
Last Game
Despite a valiant fourth quarter effort by the Magic‘s end of bench, Orlando came up short to Milwaukee on Saturday night, losing by 108-117. At worst Orlando trailed Milwaukee by a 29 point deficit. Going into the fourth quarter Milwaukee led by 25 points. With such a large lead the Bucks sat their stars, only to watch Orlando’s bench trim the lead down. Coach Budenholzer had to reintroduce his starters with 5 minutes left to play, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. The ferocious effort by the Magic bench continued against the Bucks stars, seeing the lead down to only 6 points with 2 minutes to play. By the final buzzer the Magic had outscored Milwaukee by 37-21, but the Bucks had held on to secure the win.
RJ Hampton equalled his career high with 19 points. He also recorded 9 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal. Mychal Mulder had 13 points in the valiant fourth quarter effort. Chuma Okeke registered 13 points, whilst also working hard on the defensive end. Jalen Suggs had 14 points, rebounds, 4 assists and a steal
The Bucks shot well, making 19 threes on 40 attempts (47.5%) and took an unbelievable 37 free throws! Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 32 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Pat Connaughton all scored double digit games.
The Season So Far
Orlando’s record is now a losing 4-13 with the Magic sitting last in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee are 9th in the East with a 9-8 record. The Magic have won 3 of their last 10 games played, Milwaukee have won 6, including their last 3 games straight.
Milwaukee average 107.8 points scored per game. Their average points per game conceded is 108. This is reducing but is reflective of some of the Bucks difficulty on defence so far this season. As we saw in the last game Milwaukee are lethal with the three ball and they like to play a fast paced game. Defence is not a proving to be as dominant a strength as yet this year. They are however elite at defending the three, traditionally daring teams to shoot it. However unlike in previous seasons their defence inside the arc is being penetrated. As yet they have not dominated rebounding as so often before.
Orlando’s scoring average is now an improving 101.4 points per game. The gap between those scored and points conceded remains significant, with the Magic conceding an average of 110.1 points per game. As before statistics across the board for Orlando need to improve, many being amongst the worst in the NBA. The Magic offensive and defensive ratings are both 27th of 30 teams. As before steals made by and against, turnovers, two-pointers attempted, two-pointers made, total field goals made, field goal percentage, opposition offensive rebounds and opponents scoring on second chances are still problematic.
Head-To-Head – The Milwaukee Bucks
The head-to-head record in the 118 regular season games played sees the Bucks leading 65-53. Recent history is not with Orlando either. If you include the 2020 Playoff series Milwaukee have now won 19 of the last 23 games played against Orlando!
The teams have met once this season, Milwaukee winning by 108-117 on Game Day 17.
Last season saw Milwaukee sweep the Magic 3-0. None of the games were close, with 12 points being the closest margin of victory.
The teams met 4 times in the regular season of 2019-20 again with Milwaukee winning them all.
In playoffs the Bucks and Magic have met twice. In 2001 the Bucks won 3-1. 2020 saw Milwaukee again win, taking the series with a gentleman’s sweep 4-1.
Our Opponents – The Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are led by the exceptional Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their is a cast of quality surrounding him.
Head Coach Mike Budenholzer has talent and some over in this squad. Defending the NBA title has seen a slow start but in truth their efforts have been hampered by both injury and absence through COVID protocols to some key players.
As I write the Milwaukee are listed on ESPN as having impactful absences with Semi Ojeleye (calf), Brook Lopez (back) and Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) all out.
On Saturday Milwaukee started with Jrue Holiday (PG), Grayson Allen (SG), Khris Middleton (SF), Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF) and Bobby Portis (C).
Support comes from Pat Connaughton, George Hill, Jordan Nwora, Rodney Hood and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
The Orlando Magic Injury Report
At the time of writing ESPN shows Orlando as having the following issues.
Cole Anthony is listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury that saw him miss the game on Saturday. Cole is questionable to play tonight.
Gary Harris is listed as day-to-day with a hand injury and is questionable to play tonight.
E’Twaun Moore remains out with a sprained left knee.
Michael Carter-Williams is out after surgery to remove a bone fragment and repair his left ankle ligament.
Jonathan Isaac continues to be out as he rehabilitates from a left knee ACL injury that saw him miss all of last season.
Markelle Fultz is still out after last season’s left knee ACL tear and subsequent surgery.
The Magic Lineup For Orlando’s Second Date In Milwaukee
Coach Mosely had to use a third different starting unit of the season against Milwaukee on Saturday. That unit was Jalen Suggs (PG), Gary Harris (SG), Franz Wagner (SF), Wendell Carter Jr (PF) and Mo Bamba (C).
Chuma Okeke, Terrence Ross, Moe Wagner, RJ Hampton, Robin Lopez, Mychal Mulder and Ignas Brazdeikis all came from the bench.
Check Out Other Orlando Magic U.K. Content
On each game day make sure to check Twitter and Facebook to play along with our Magic Moments competition. Simply comment with your prediction for each of five questions we will ask on that night’s game. At the end of the season we will send out a prize to whoever tops the league with the most correct predictions.
Be sure to subscribe to Orlando Magic U.K. YouTube channel for episodes of our podcast Penny For Your Thoughts.
Final Thoughts For Orlando’s Second Date In Milwaukee
Injury will potentially impact massively tonight on Orlando’s prospects. Any game where Cole Anthony’s offence is missing hurts the team.
Again, facing Giannis will be one of the biggest tests this young Magic team have had yet. They will need to slow him down for a chance to win tonight. Moe Wagner could be a key to this.
As before the last game Orlando will feel aggrieved at some clear ‘superstar” calls they were on the wrong end of. So tonight the Magic must make sure they are faultless in their defensive efforts and do not talk to him when he is shooting free throws!
Let’s Go Magic!
