Mar 3, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic ahead Paolo Banchero (5) takes a shot in the second half in opposition to the Washington Wizards at Kia Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Russell Lansford-Imagn Pictures Coming in scorching on a three-game win streak, the Orlando Magic will look to assist solidify their playoff standing as they journey to Milwaukee to tackle the Bucks Sunday evening.
It is going to be evening two of a back-to-back for each groups. The Magic performed Saturday evening in Minnesota, the place they dominated the Timberwolves 119-92 on Saturday evening. The Bucks defeated the Utah Jazz 113-99 at house.
Desmond Bane led Orlando with 30 factors on 10-of-17 capturing from the ground, although notably the sharpshooter didn’t make a 3-pointer (0-for-5). Paolo Banchero added 25 factors with 15 rebounds.
The defensive finish was the spotlight for Orlando, which held Minnesota to its second-fewest factors of the season and a 35.7% mark from the sector.
“Our guards did an incredible job making use of strain, simply locked into the sport plan,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “It was a really huge recreation plan win for our guys and so they performed with a stage of confidence, with the ability to come in right here and get the win.”
With the victory, the Magic moved into the coveted sixth seed in the Japanese Convention standings as they goal to get out of the play-in bracket.
Milwaukee, which continues its chase for the play-in event, ended its four-game skid on Saturday evening because it took care of the Jazz.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way in which in his third straight recreation after coming back from harm with 27 factors, 9 boards and eight assists in 27 minutes.
The Bucks switched up the beginning lineup in favor of measurement, benching AJ Inexperienced in favor of Kyle Kuzma together with Ousmane Dieng, Ryan Rollins, Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner.
“Liked the starters due to the scale; it took Ryan off the ball extra. With Giannis, we’re making an attempt to area the ground with our measurement,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated. “I believed we made essentially the most superior passes we have made all yr.”
Rivers went on to emphasise his message to his workforce on enjoying time and why he is switching up the rotations to seek out what works and what does not. A 120-97 loss to the Chicago Bulls on March 1 spurred that call.
“After that Chicago loss, we informed them we’re gonna sit guys, we’re gonna transfer guys, whoever performs proper is gonna play,” he stated.
On the harm entrance, Anthony Black suffered a low again pressure in first quarter and didn’t return on Saturday. He’s listed as day-to-day together with Jase Richardson (again spasms) and Jonathan Isaac (knee), who each missed the Jazz recreation.
The Bucks stay with out Kevin Porter Jr. who has swelling in his knee. There’s been no timetable positioned on the return for Porter, who’s averaging 17.5 factors per recreation.
This matchup will resolve the tiebreaker between these groups. They final performed a baseball-like two-game sequence in early February in Orlando. The video games have been break up with Orlando profitable the primary and the Bucks bouncing again to take the second.
Neither contest featured Antetokounmpo. Within the Bucks’ victory, they have been led by an outburst from Cam Thomas, who got here off the bench to attain 34 factors in simply 25 minutes.
–Subject Stage Media
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