The Magic snapped the Bucks' three-game win streak on Monday.
The Milwaukee Bucks' three-game win streak is over after a 118-99 blowout against the Orlando Magic on Monday.
Milwaukee had been riding a high going into Monday's game, but ran straight into a physical wall when it came to facing Orlando.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks in scoring with 28 points, but beyond that the rest of the Bucks weren't able to kick it into a high enough gear compared to the way that the Magic were playing.
Orlando Magic guard Jevon Carter (2) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) during the second half at Kia Center. Mike Watters-Imagn ImagesA Strong Outing By the Magic
The Magic were led by strong performances by Anthony Black and Desmond Bane, who scored 26 and 25 points respectively, and with the Orlando bench popping off for 45 combined points, the Magic were ready to steamroll anything the Bucks threw at them.
The biggest different maker in the game was the physicality, a continuous struggle for the Bucks this season, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo out with an injury.
Orlando Magic forward Moritz Wagner (21) goes to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) during the second half at Kia Center. Mike Watters-Imagn Images"All the physical plays they made. And that's not been us, but tonight it was. It's no fun when you see it done against you, I can tell you that," Rivers said (via Bucks).
The Magic outclassed the Bucks on the boards with 44 rebounds to the Bucks' 37, and the offensive rebounds were the biggest difference for the Magic with 11 offensive boards.
Those offensive rebounds were a big reason behind the Magic's ability to grab extra shot attempts, which paid off in a big way for them offensively.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) handles the ball in front of Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the second quarter at Kia Center. Mike Watters-Imagn ImagesThe Magic shot 40-86 from the field, nine more shot attempts than the Bucks had, to power them to the 19 point victory.
What the Bucks Need to Do to Adjust
It looked like the Bucks were building serious momentum heading into the game and their chemistry without Antetokounmpo was looking like it was finally clicking, but their overall lack of physicality hurt them yet again and if they don't address it that will continue to the team's fatal flaw.
They may have retained Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, but there's no guaranteeing what will happen in free agency.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) during the first quarter at Kia Center. Mike Watters-Imagn ImagesThe Bucks needs to learn how to physically control their opponents without Antetokounmpo on the court if they want to be able to seriously compete again in the Eastern Conference, and at this point the inconsistency in their physical effort has made it hard for them to get into any kind of rhytm.
It's still just one loss and the positive outlook is that it can be a learning experience for the Bucks, but it's also still a sign of serious issues that will take a major mentality shift to fix in the long run.