In a pivotal season finale, the Orlando Magic clinched the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a commanding 113-88 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and ensured that the Magic would avoid the play-in tournament, finishing the regular season with a record of 47-35.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic Match Player Stats LineScores
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |||
| MIL | 30 | 12 | 29 | 17 | 88 | |||
| ORL | 22 | 25 | 33 | 33 | 113 | |||
| Team | PITP | FB PTS | BIG LD | BPTS | TREB | TOV | TTOV | POT |
| MIL | 32 | 2 | 11 | 25 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 11 |
| ORL | 54 | 25 | 30 | 45 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 24 |
| Lead Changes | 1 | |||||||
| Times Tied | 3 |
Key Performers and Highlights
Paolo Banchero led the charge for Orlando with a stellar performance, scoring 26 points. Franz Wagner was close behind with 25 points, while Jonathan Isaac, in his second start of the season, spearheaded a formidable defensive effort. Isaac contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 26 minutes of play, one minute shy of his season high.Isaac’s defensive prowess was particularly noted by Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who remarked, “Jonathan Isaac changed the game for them. He’s long, he’s effective and we just kept setting pick-and-rolls with him instead of other guys.
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Playoff Implications and Team Sentiments
With this victory, the Magic secured their first playoff appearance since 2020 and only their third in the past 12 years. The team will face the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. A loss in this game would have relegated Orlando to a play-in spot, making the win all the more crucial.”We looked at this as a do-or-die game,” said Franz Wagner. “Most guys here haven’t been in the playoffs. Most have been in 20-win seasons and stuff like that. It means a lot to the whole group.”The Magic’s achievement was not just about securing a playoff berth; they also clinched the Southeast Division title by one game over the Miami Heat. Coach Jamahl Mosley praised his team’s understanding of the moment, stating, “I thought we did a great job of understanding the moment, but knowing that we were going to do it defensively first. And then offensively we let it flow. They trusted each other, made some big passes, some big plays, but it was our defense that sparked everything.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Challenges and Future Outlook
For the Milwaukee Bucks, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each scored 17 points, while Damian Lillard added 16, albeit on a dismal 2-of-14 shooting night. The Bucks finished the season with a 49-33 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference and setting up a first-round matchup against the Indiana Pacers.Despite the loss, Lillard remained optimistic, stating, “I feel good about it. I think the one thing about the playoffs this season is everybody can beat everybody. Happy that we got home court, and it’s a team we are familiar with.”The Bucks were again without their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is nursing a lower leg strain. His availability for the playoffs remains uncertain. “I honestly don’t know one way or the other,” said Rivers. “I just know he’s doing all the work. We’re getting great reports. Yesterday he did everything so that was positive.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic Game Flow and Turning Points
The game started competitively, with the Bucks leading 39-28 after a three-pointer by Bobby Portis midway through the second quarter. However, this would be their last field goal of the half. The Magic went on an 11-0 run, with Wagner scoring six points and Isaac hitting a crucial three-pointer, to tie the game. By halftime, Orlando had taken a 47-42 lead, largely due to Milwaukee’s shooting woes—they went 0 for 11 with three turnovers in the final seven minutes of the half, managing only three points from Khris Middleton’s free throws.Orlando’s defense was particularly effective in the second quarter, holding the Bucks to just 12 points. “They scored 12 points in the second quarter. That was our defense really locked in,” Wagner said. “That’s when we got the lead and got a better rhythm offensively too.”The Magic continued to dominate in the second half, with Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. leading a 14-4 run late in the third quarter. Cole Anthony hit three consecutive shots during an 11-0 spurt to open the fourth quarter, extending Orlando’s lead to 91-71 and effectively sealing the game.
Orlando Magic Match Player Stats and Box Score
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paolo Banchero | 26 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 35 |
| Franz Wagner | 25 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 34 |
| Jonathan Isaac | 10 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 26 |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Cole Anthony | 15 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 28 |
| Markelle Fultz | 9 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 30 |
| Moe Wagner | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Jalen Suggs | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Gary Harris | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Goga Bitadze | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Milwaukee Bucks Match Player Stats and Box Score
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khris Middleton | 17 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 32 |
| Bobby Portis | 17 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 30 |
| Damian Lillard | 16 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Brook Lopez | 10 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 28 |
| Jrue Holiday | 12 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 33 |
| Pat Connaughton | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Grayson Allen | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Jevon Carter | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Looking Ahead
As the Orlando Magic prepare for their playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they carry the momentum of a crucial victory and the confidence of a team that has overcome significant challenges. With a renewed focus on defense and a balanced offensive attack, the Magic aim to make their first playoff run since 2011 a memorable one.
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