Milwaukee breaks it open in second quarter, blow outs Magic 115-100

Following yet another loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, their second in as many weeks and sixth straight overall, the Orlando Magic returned home for a brief two game home stand with a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks controlled the game all the way, taking home an easy 115-100 victory.

Another game, another slow start for the Magic. Opening the game up, the Magic looked sloppy and completely out of rhythm. Milwaukee on the other hand looked ready, crisply running their offense, while locking down the Magic on the defensive end. The Bucks were able to get out in transition and have a lot of success, making all five of their attempts for 13 points. Forced into the starting lineup because of a rash of injuries and a suspension to center Larry Sanders, Jared Dudley led all scorers with nine in the opening quarter. Despite shooting 2-of-10 in the quarter, Victor Oladipo led the way for the Magic with five.

After another horrendous start, things continued to get worse and worse for the Magic. Their offense continued to be stagnant, and their insistence on switching every time Milwaukee would run a pick-and-roll, ending in countless wide open jumpers for the Bucks. The Magic struggled to take care of the ball as well, coughing it up 13 times leading to 18 Milwaukee points. The Bucks also held a +12 advantage from deep, making four more three-pointers than the Magic in the opening half. Oladipo heated up some in the quarter, pushing his total to a game high 14. Jerryd Bayless scored 13 in the quarter to lead Milwaukee at the half.

Out of halftime, things continued to go poorly for the Magic. After a stretch of somewhat promising play, things went south in a hurry. Milwaukee made a flurry of three-pointers to push the lead up to 25, with the Magic continuing to struggle mightily on both ends. The Magic were sloppy and lifeless allowing the Bucks to push their lead to as many as 29. Orlando's turnover total hit 19, with the Bucks turning those into 27 points. Jared Dudley led the Bucks with 17, with Oladipo's 21 pacing the way for the Magic.

Down 25 going into the fourth, all the Magic had left was a chance to gain some pride. Their play continued to be sloppy, however, with the Bucks playing passing lanes and suffocating the team on the defensive end. The Magic were able to whittle the lead down some, but it was too late for them to make it even a close game.

Seven Bucks finished in double figures, led by Bayless' 19 off the bench. Dudley, called into the starting lineup due to injuries, finished with 17, with point guard Brandon Knight finishing with 17. Khris Middleton finished the night with 17 of his own. O.J. Mayo scored 13 off the bench, with John Henson adding 12 in his spot start. Giannis Antetokounmpo rounded out the Milwaukee men in double figures with 10.

Five Magic players finished in double figures, led by Oladipo's game high 21. Nikola Vucevic, who missed out on the All-Star team, notched another double-double finishing with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Elfrid Payton put together another decent game, finishing with 15 points and six assists. Willie Green finished with a season high 17, with Evan Fournier chipping in 11 off the bench.