The Orlando Magic are heading into the second game of a back-to-back against the Milwaukee Bucks after achieving a blowout 119-92 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.  

Before facing Milwaukee, Magic coach Jamahl Molsey provided his thoughts on multiple topics, starting with his evaluation of the team since the All-Star break concluded.  

“I think our defense has taken a step forward,” Mosley said. "What we've asked our guys to continue to do: protecting the paint, rebounding the basketball, just knowing game plan and assignments, I think we've done a very good job there. 

“Offensively, still continuing to work on our pace, picking up, being able to get the early easy baskets, but that's going to stem from our defensive side of the ball.” 

A point of recent success for the Magic has been the increased aggressiveness and production of Paolo Banchero, who is averaging 25.5 points over his last four games. In that span, the Magic are 3-1, and Mosley pointed out how Banchero has been able to impact both sides of the ball.  

“Just his ability to — since the break — being able to take on those best player assignments defensively; taking on that challenge, I think that's given him a different level where he's taking his game to.  

“And offensively, just continuing to attack, being aggressive, getting downhill, looking for early easy baskets, and that's part of the playing fast, is just finding the advantage early, and then keeping it.” 

However, Milwaukee has found a way to hamper Banchero. In the Magic’s two games against the Bucks in February, they held Banchero to 14 points per game on 30% shooting.  

“I think Doc [Rivers] and the defensive crew, I think they do a great job of just packing the pain in, and so, they're forcing the outside shot,” Mosley said. “I think they give up pretty much the most, but it's because they're packing the pain in, and so our team's strength is to get downhill, and their ability to pack the pain at the right time makes that a little bit more difficult to get to the free throw line, to get downhill. 

“But that's why we talk about being able to play with a little bit more pace, so allowing our stops to get out and get easy runs instead of playing against a set half-court defense.” 

To continue to have success, Mosley also talked about the importance of crashing the boards on the offensive end. 

“I think it's big,” he said. "You talk about the possession battles within a game, and that's how you win them. You try to turn teams over, and then you try to win the offensive rebounding game. I think the more possessions you can get in a game, the more chances you give yourself to win.” 

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