Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic Preview: Will The Bucks Find Their Magic?

The Milwaukee Bucks will look to start their weekend off with some Magic as they get ready for their first visit to the Amway Center this season.

Bucks Update

Well, the Bucks have already blown two large leads this season, most recently in their 116-105 loss in Boston to the Celtics on Wednesday night.

The Bucks looked terrific in the first half, but things quickly went south in the second. The Bucks were led by Khris Middleton who scored a team-high 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 points and 14 rebounds, but the Celtics had him all out of sorts offensively.

The Bucks shot a respectable 46.3 percent from the floor, but a porous 15-of-24 from the foul line. Yikes. Naturally, the Celtics nailed 17 three-pointers, including five from notorious three-point marksman, Marcus Smart...it was that kind of night for the Bucks.

As for tonight’s game against Orlando, the Bucks should have all hands on deck for their fifth game of the season.

Player to Watch: Brook Lopez

Lopez has been anything but Splash Mountain to begin the season. It’s early, but if he is not hitting his shots from deep, this Bucks team will be in trouble...and fast. Don’t let this Orlando team fool you, as defensively, they have yet to allow 100 points in any game this season.

Magic Update

The Magic are currently 2-2, but this is not a pushover basketball team. Head coach Steve Clifford has his guys playing outstanding defense thus far. Their latest game was a 95-83 victory against the hapless New York Knicks. They were led by big man Nikola Vucevic who dropped 21 points while hauling in 13 boards. Aaron Gordon added 15 points of his own.

No matter who the opponent is, allowing less than 90 points in today’s NBA is very hard to accomplish. It will be interesting to see if the can put the Bucks offense in the mud. They’re currently ranked third in terms of defensive rating.

Mo Bamba and our old friend Michael Carter-Williams have been ruled out for tonight’s game.

Player to Watch: Jonathan Isaac

This kid has some serious talent, but you didn’t need me to tell you that. His defensive prowess for only a third-year player is remarkable. Standing at 6’11” I am sure he is going to get the call guarding Giannis, and that will be a matchup to keep your eyes on.