The Orlando Magic’s month-long “win one, lose one” sample lastly ended Tuesday night time at Amway Center — however not in the best way they wished.
The Magic’s 134-123 dwelling loss to the league-best Milwaukee Bucks (47-18) marked the primary time they suffered consecutive defeats since late January and had the identical end in back-to-back video games since early February.
The Magic (27-39) had been coming off a Sunday dwelling loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
They had been 6-6 since Feb. 5 earlier than Tuesday, not happening a dropping streak or successful streak throughout that stretch.
Treading water is a part of the rationale why they’ve been caught at thirteenth within the Eastern Conference’s standings because the starting of the yr. They’re 14-15 because the begin of the calendar yr.
It’s additionally why they’re a number of video games again within the play-in event race and haven’t jumped forward within the standings.
After Tuesday, the Magic are:
- 5 video games behind the Toronto Raptors for the No. 9 spot;
- 4 1/2 video games behind the Washington Wizards for No. 10;
- 2 1/2 video games behind the Chicago Bulls for No. 11;
- 2 video games behind the Indiana Pacers for No. 12.
That’s similar to the place they had been earlier than the All-Star break.
Brook Lopez led the Bucks, who had been with out two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (non-COVID sickness) and All-star guard Jrue Holiday (neck soreness), with 26 factors, 7 rebounds and three blocks.
Khris Middleton (24 factors, 11 assists) and Jevon Carter (24 factors, 5 assists) mixed for 48 factors.
Cole Anthony led the Magic with 23 factors on 9-of-17 capturing off the bench.
Franz Wagner (21 factors and 6 assists) and Paolo Banchero (20 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists) additionally scored a minimum of 20.
With simply 16 video games remaining within the common season, the Magic perceive they’ll’t tread water for for much longer and nonetheless qualify for the event.
Seeds 7-10 in every convention compete within the play-in event for the Nos. 7 and eight seeds within the playoffs.
“We know to get into that position. We got to put a couple together,” second-year guard Jalen Suggs stated. “But when you start looking too far ahead like that, you start to lose the task at hand. You can only do one thing at a time, win one game at a time.”
The Magic are 22-20 of their final 42 video games courting to Dec. 5 — when Anthony and Markelle Fultz (16 factors, 4 assists) had been not enjoying underneath minutes restrictions after making their returns the earlier week.
Having a .500-plus file for greater than half the season is a optimistic step for a group that went 22-60 final yr and 5-19 to start out this season, largely due to the accidents.
Their progress has been evident, particularly defensively. The Magic are No. 8 in defensive ranking (factors allowed per 100 possessions) in that stretch.
But they’re wanting extra to point out for his or her progress.
“Just coming in locked in every night to who that opponent is, that will put us in a position to be right where we want to be,” Suggs stated. “The further you look ahead and not handle what’s in the moment, you’re going to lose.”
Starting large man Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip ache) and guard Gary Harris (sore left adductor) weren’t out there vs. the Bucks for the second consecutive recreation.
Coach Jamahl Mosley responded “no” when requested pregame if there have been any issues their accidents might result in prolonged absences.
Carter and Harris had been listed on the harm report as questionable earlier than being dominated out about three hours earlier than tipoff. Suggs and Moe Wagner (18 factors, 8 rebounds and three assists) as soon as once more began of their place.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com