Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 121-107 Game 3 win over Orlando Magic

Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 121-107 Game 3 win over Orlando Magic – Defense steps up a gear

It wasn’t perfect as an element of complacency certainly slipped in when the Bucks found themselves with a 30-point lead, but there was still little doubt that this game included the best defense the Bucks have played since the season resumed at Walt Disney World Resort.

As the Bucks found their way into the paint effortlessly on offense, they held the Magic to just 26 points inside, amounting to a 24-point Bucks edge in that department. Similarly, although the Bucks’ fast break offense didn’t click into gear, holding the Magic to just 11 points in transition represented a much healthier return.

Nikola Vucevic was given plenty of open three-point looks, but the bet that the Bucks make in that regard is paying off. A 33 percent long-range shooter such as Vucevic will eventually get unsettled if allowed to shoot over and over again from deep, and his rhythm was certainly disrupted in what ended up being a 2-of-8 showing from deep for him.

With the Bucks’ defense on point positionally, it allowed more room for individual gambles and freedom for plays, with the likes of Giannis, Eric Bledsoe, and Wesley Matthews all starring.

If the Bucks can maintain this standard, the Magic won’t stand a chance. Even more so, it would make the Bucks incredibly tough to beat in the rounds to come.

The Bucks and Magic are back at it for Game 3 at 12.30pm CT on Monday.