Orlando, FL – Despite Orlando finishing the game with three players scoring 20+ points, the Bucks picked up where they left off in Game 2 dominating Orlando 121-107.
To no one’s surprise, Giannis led the way for Milwaukee with a hyper-efficient near triple-double of 35 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, shooting 12-14 from the field (85.7%). His partner in crime, Kris Middleton, struggled shooting the ball, however, contributed 17 points on 17 shots, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Eric Bledsoe had his best game of the series, notching 14 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists shooting 55.6% from the field and plus/minus box score of +21.
In contrast Nikola Vucevic turned his worst game of the series, scoring 20 points on an inefficient 19 shots.
In the last two games Markelle Fultz has made only 6 of his 20 shot attempts, notably shooting only 2-9 on Saturday. Furthermore, Fultz had the same number of turnovers as he did assists largely due to the defense Bledsoe played. For Orlando to get a different result in the win/loss column, Fultz needs to find his rhythm.
The game between Milwaukee and Orlando got rowdy midway through the 2nd quarter when a fight broke out between Bucks forward Marvin Williams and Magic forward James Ennis. The scuffle concluded with both players receiving double-fouls followed by a double-ejection.
Orlando has an up-hill climb, as does any 8th seed playing against the 1st seed. Milwaukee has a larger margin for error while Orlando has no room for error.
For the Magic to have a real chance at winning another game in this series they are going to have to improve their quality of play. Orlando turned the ball over a total of 18 times subsequently leading to 25 Milwaukee points off those mishaps.
Coach Steve Clifford on the changes he needs to see in game 4, “We’re going to have to be able to play with more force, cut harder, screen better, make quicker decisions, that’s what we did the first game and that’ll give us a chance.”
Game 4 is on Monday at 1:30PM EST, on NBATV.
