The Milwaukee Bucks live up to their clear favorite role in the series against the Orlando Magic after initial problems. In game 3 Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. dominated from the start and left no doubts about the victory. Thanks to the 121:10 success, the Bucks now lead the series with 2-1 (here are the highlights in the video).
Orlando Magic (8) – Milwaukee Bucks (1) 107:121 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 1-2
MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was outstanding once again, who with 21 points (8/8 FG, 3/5 FT) put down an almost perfect first half and thus the main reason that the Bucks were in the front after just 24 minutes with 70:43 lay. In the end, Giannis had collected 35 points (12/14 FG), 11 rebounds and 7 assists. In addition to the Greek, Khris Middleton (17), Brook Lopez (16) and Eric Bledsoe (14, 8 assists) also scored double-digit.
This time Orlando had problems especially in transition. In the first two games, coach Steve Clifford’s team had prevented this reasonably well, this time the top team in the East made 14 points out of it, 12 of them at half time.
In the meantime it got a bit heated. Marvin Williams and James Ennis clashed over the rebound and started a nudge. Two assistants of the Bucks stormed into the field to separate the two fighters, while Bucks assistant Darvin Ham fell to the ground. Ennis and Williams were both ejected as a result.
That hurt the Magic most of all, after all, wing positions had been a problem for the whole series due to the failures of Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. The Bucks started a 21: 4 run and in the meantime gained a lead of 34 points. But they had not given up the Magic completely yet, as DJ Augustin and Terrence Ross now transformed their litters. With seven minutes remaining, Milwaukee’s lead was suddenly just 12 points. After that, Milwaukee got serious again, so that victory was no longer in danger.
Orlando hit badly from the field, especially in the first half, but after the break the Magic sank strong 15/23 from the Dreierland. In the end, that came too late. The best scorers in Magic were Augustin (24 points, 7 assists), Ross (20, 8/13) and Nikola Vucevic (20), but that was far too little against the best team in the East. Game 4 of the series takes place on Monday at 7.30 p.m.
Bucks vs. Magic: the series at a glance
| game | date | Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Result |
| 1 | 18. August | 7.30 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks | Orlando Magic | 110:122 |
| 2 | 21. August | Midnight | Milwaukee Bucks | Orlando Magic | 111:96 |
| 3 | 22. August | 19 o’clock | Orlando Magic | Milwaukee Bucks | 107:121 |
| 4 | 24. August | 7.30 p.m. | Orlando Magic | Milwaukee Bucks | |
| 5 | 26. August | tba | Milwaukee Bucks | Orlando Magic | |
| 6* | 28. August | tba | Orlando Magic | Milwaukee Bucks | |
| 7* | 30. August | tba | Milwaukee Bucks | Orlando Magic |
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