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

By Matthew Way | Aug 18, 2020

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 (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Can the Milwaukee Bucks build momentum?

After a sluggish final eight games in the bubble, Milwaukee could certainly use a series to get back to the dominant form they showed early in the regular season.

Rust was undoubtedly a factor in the Bucks’ bubble struggles, as was their lack of motivation. After a long layoff, everyone was working to get back into game shape and Milwaukee’s strong start to the regular season allowed them to take that slower than teams fighting for playoff position and seeding.

light. Related Story. 25 best players to play for the Orlando Magic

One concerning statistic during the bubble was Milwaukee’s paint defense. Opponents’ shooting in the paint (non-restricted area) skyrocketed from an extremely low 36.7 percent before the shutdown to a mediocre 43.0 percent in the final eight games. The Magic, however, aren’t especially well-equipped to test just how real that fall is. Orlando ranked dead last this season in terms of paint-touch field goal percentage.

Perhaps more concerning was the struggles of point guard Eric Bledsoe. The Milwaukee point guard was extremely inefficient in the bubble and often looked completely out of sorts. After Bledsoe’s terrible play in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, it’s imperative that the Bucks get him back on track if they are going to make a deep run this time around. And he should have plenty of opportunities to find his footing against a relatively poor Orlando defensive backcourt.