Paolo Banchero led a shutout defensive effort in his second start of the season, while Franz Wagner scored 25 points. The Orlando Magic defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 113-88 on Sunday to take the No. 5 place in the Eastern Conference.

With the victory in their season finale, the Magic ended their three-game losing streak and concluded at 47-35. In the opening round of the East playoffs, they will take on Cleveland, who are ranked fourth. Orlando would have been in a play-in position if they had lost.

Wagner remarked, “We saw this as a do-or-Ԁie game.” “The majority of these guys aren’t postseason experience. The majority have experienced 20-win seasons and similar success. It is really important to the entire organization.

The Magic will be making their third postseason trip in the last twelve years and their first since 2020. Since 2011, they have not prevailed in a postseason series.

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley remarked, “I thought we did a great job of understanding the moment, but knowing that we were going to do it defensively first.” We then let it to flow offensively. Although they had mutual trust and produced some amazing passes and plays, our defense was the catalyst for the entire affair.

Moreover, Orlando defeated Miami by one game to win the Southeast Division.

For Milwaukee, Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton each scored 17 points. With 16 points on 2 of 14 shots, Damian Lillard rounded up the scoring for the Bucks, who went 31-3 in the East. Indiana will be their opponent in the opening round.

As Lillard put it, “I feel good about it.” One thing about this season’s playoffs, in my opinion, is that anybody can defeat anybody. We’re glad we have home court advantage and that the team is one we know well.

Wendell Carter Jr., who had back problems but played 14 minutes off the bench and was a key player in the Magic’s second-half comeback that sealed the victory, was replaced at center by Isaac, who got off to a fast start. With one less minute than his season high of 26 played, Isaac finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

For the Bucks, “Jonathan Isaac changed the game,” according to coach Doc Rivers. “We just kept scheduling pick-and-rolls with him instead of other guys because he’s long and effective.”

“I believe we frequently gave the wrong guy too much screen time,” Lillard remarked.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose status for the playoffs is in doubt due to a lower leg ailment, did not play for the Bucks again.

“To be honest, I’m not sure either way,” Rivers remarked. “I simply know that he is handling everything. We’re receiving excellent reports. He completed everything yesterday, so that was a plus.

With 7:06 remaining in the second quarter, Portis made a 3-pointer to give the Bucks a 39-28 lead. That concluded their half’s field goal scoring. After an 11-0 Orlando surge that immediately tied the game at 41 points apiece behind to baskets from Wagner and Isaac, the Magic lead 47–42 at the break. In the last seven minutes of the half, Milwaukee shot 0 for 11 and committed three turnovers, managing only three points on Khris Middleton’s free throws.

“In the second quarter, they scored 12 points. That really locked up our defense,” Wagner remarked. “We took the lead at that point and also improved our оffensive rhythm.”

Late in the third quarter, Cole Anthony made three baskets during an 11-0 run that put Orlando up 91-71. Later in the quarter, Banchero and Carter led the Magic on a 14-4 run.