Bucks vs Magic: 3 Matchups to Watch in First-Round Playoffs

Here are three important matchups to keep an eye on as the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs.

With the Milwaukee Bucks as huge favorites entering their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, this likely won’t be the most competitive matchup across the NBA landscape. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t be an entertaining one as there are plenty of matchups worth watching.

The game within the game, if you will, is incredibly intriguing in the postseason. While the Magic focus on trying to steal a game or two against the best team in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee is looking to get back on track after a lackluster bubble showing where they only went 3-5. As the series begins on Tuesday, keep your eye on these three matchups throughout the series.

3. Eric Bledsoe vs Markelle Fultz

The Magic have been hit hard by the injury bug. And I mean HARD. Jonathan Isaac is out for a long time with a torn ACL and Mo Bamba is likely out for the series as well after leaving the bubble for a more thorough examination of his previous COVID-19 diagnosis. Michael Carter-Williams will probably miss the series as well with a left foot injury. Aaron Gordon (who missed the last four games with a hamstring), Evan Fournier (three games–non-COVID related illness) and Terrence Ross (two games–chest pains) are also on the injury report although they are expected to be back.

With so many players either missing or not being at 100 percent, a lot of the offensive creation will fall on Markelle Fultz who played more than 20 games for the first time in a season since being drafted with the 1st overall pick in 2017.

As their primary point guard, he’s responsible for getting Orlando into a lot of their sets and ensuring the rock finds some of their other playmakers such as Gordon, Fournier, Ross and Nikola Vucecic. He’s also one of their only shot-creators off the bounce and will be expected to do just that against the Bucks.

The problem is Eric Bledsoe, one of the best point guard defenders in the NBA, will be waiting for him on most possessions. Bledsoe is relentless on defense and makes life difficult on opposing ball-handlers. The winner of this matchup will help dictate the pace of Orlando’s offense in both the halfcourt and transition.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Orlando’s Interior Defense

Orlando’s defense isn’t too shabby, finishing 10th in points per 100 possessions allowed at 109.9 according to Cleaning the Glass. Similar to the Bucks, they work hard to limit their opponent’s opportunities around the rim, giving up just 32 percent of their opponents shot attempts within four feet of the hoop (third-lowest in the NBA). However, without a true shot-blocker, they struggle to prevent teams from scoring once they get into the paint.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who makes his living attacking the basket and forcing the defense to collapse, will certainly test Orlando’s defense to see if they are up to the task. With 651 attempts at the rim this season, Antetokounmpo leads the NBA and is more than 50 ahead of the second-placed Russell Westbrook. 

If Gordon is healthy, he’ll likely draw the primary assignment on Antetokounmpo. When he’s not in the game, undrafted free agent Gary Clark will be the guy. To be clear, Orlando’s entire defense will be asked to play a role in deterring Antetokounmpo from taking over this series, something he’s completely capable of. There’s likely no stopping Antetokounmpo for the Magic, but they’ll try like hell to make him work for everything.

1. Bucks’ Wings vs Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier has found success against the Bucks this year, scoring over his season average in three of their four games. His three-point shooting is the foundation of his game, as he leverages it to create shots off the bounce or get to the hole when a defense sells out to prevent a look from behind the arc.

Wes Matthews will likely draw the primary assignment. It’s a role he’s taken on all season long for Milwaukee and, although he’s not in the conversation of elite wing defenders, he’s a savvy enough defender to make life difficult for wing scorers. Also, don’t be surprised to see Bucks’ head coach Mike Budenholzer throw guys like Donte DiVincenzo, Pat Connaughton, Khris Middleton and George Hill at him. All are capable of making Fournier work for his buckets.

The Magic might not have much of a chance to win this series, but Fournier could make the games closer than originally thought if he can get hot in a contest or two. Make sure to keep your eyes on them off the ball, as that’s the trenches this war will be fought in.