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NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic

By Matthew Way

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 8: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on February 8, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The Bucks defeated the Magic 112 to 95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 8: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on February 8, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The Bucks defeated the Magic 112 to 95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks, NBA playoffs, Orlando Magic
Milwaukee Bucks, NBA playoffs, Orlando Magic (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Key Matchup: Orlando Magic vs. Non-Giannis Minutes

It’s a virtual certainty that the Bucks will win starters’ minutes throughout the series. There’s no talking around that.  And it makes the bench minutes that much more critical for Orlando to win big.

The one upside for the Magic comes in looking at last year’s playoffs. It’s common practice for superstars to sit in the regular season, especially in today’s league. But then those minutes generally balloon in the playoffs as the competition stiffens.

Milwaukee was an exception to that rule last year, though.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo played only 30 minutes per game in the playoffs last season. In the conference finals, that number rose to 38.5 minutes per game, which is still relatively low.  Kawhi Leonard, by comparison, played 41.3 minutes per game in a winning effort.

Much of this likely stems from the fact that coasting is not in Giannis’ repertoire. He gives so much effort when he’s on the floor that he can’t play the same minutes as others. Not being in game shape should only exacerbate that issue in this year’s first round.

So it’s imperative that the Magic win any and all bench minutes and do so in a big way. That’s complicated by Orlando’s injury problems, which thins out their second unit. Michael Carter-Williams, who provided a nice spark off the bench at times, is doubtful for Game 1. The frontcourt is without Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba.

And then there’s the strength of Milwaukee’s bench itself.

The Bucks dominated second quarters, out-scoring opponents by 9.1 points per 100 possessions, even when the starters sat. George Hill runs the second unit as well as anyone and strong role players like Donte DiVincenzo, Kyle Korver, and Robin Lopez play error-free basketball to maintain leads.

Orlando will need to change that in a massive way to have a chance to compete in this series.  Whether their starters play more minutes or they get help from unexpected sources, they will have no shot if they can’t dominate games when Giannis is resting.