5 things learned from Bucks-Magic Game 3

Giannis led the way

Orlando is so wary of Giannis Antetokounmpo once he crosses the 3-point line that the Bucks have found a way to take advantage of it. A few times, once Giannis was picked up defensively, he turned his back to his defender and pitched the ball back to a trailer for a wide-open 3 as Antetokounmpo provided a screen. When Orlando did defend Giannis, it didn’t do much good. Antetokounmpo made all eight of his field-goal attempts at the half — including two from 3 (as the Magic softened their defense when he was behind the line). In 16 first-half minutes, he had 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. He finished with 35 points on 12-of-14 shooting with 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Aggressive Khris

There was probably more than a little concern from Bucks fans after Khris Middleton had another bad outing in Game 2, making just 1 of 8 shots. Middleton didn’t let it bother him, though, and he came out shooting in Game 3. He had six field-goal attempts in the first quarter, when he played eight minutes. He finished with 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-7 from downtown. Middleton has made over 43% of his 3-point attempts over his career in the playoffs so it was just a matter of his coming around. Better sooner than later, though.

Playoff intensity

There had been some questions surrounding the Bucks regarding their energy and intensity in the bubble (including from us after Game 1). But the light went on in Game 3. Marvin Williams took no gruff from James Ennis III and Antetokounmpo was very animated after a Middleton first-half make and a Brook Lopez 3 midway through the fourth quarter. He exulted after his final points, a driving dunk with 5:18 remaining. It was nice to see and might be something to look back on if and when Milwaukee makes a long postseason run.

Things are heating up in Game 3 ? pic.twitter.com/C6xHCCe17m

— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) August 22, 2020

Turnovers are still an issue

After having 16 turnovers in Game 1 and 20 in Game 2, Milwaukee had 18 in Game 3. Only once during the regular season did the Bucks have three consecutive games with 16+ turnovers — a streak of four straight from Dec. 27-Jan. 1 against Atlanta, Orlando, Chicago and Minnesota. Those were all wins, but three of those teams didn’t make the playoffs and the Magic are, of course, the 8 seed. Against good teams, though, a lot of turnovers can be damaging. The Bucks were 7-7 against playoff teams during the regular season when they had 17+ turnovers.

Blowouts are nice

Let’s fact it, this game was over at the half, when the Bucks held a 70-43 lead. One way to limit the damage from turnovers is to shoot the lights out. Milwaukee was over 60% from the field for most of the game – after three quarters the Bucks were still at 62.3% (they finished at 56.1%). Good defense helps, too, as does poor deep shooting from your opponent. Orlando made just 4 of 17 3-point attempts in the first half. It all meant Antetokounmpo played just 30 minutes, and limiting his playing time when you can in the playoffs can only be a good thing.