The Orlando Magic’s month-long “win one, lose one” pattern finally ended Tuesday night at Amway Center — but not in the way they wanted.
The Magic’s 134-123 home loss to the league-best Milwaukee Bucks (47-18) marked the first time they suffered consecutive defeats since late January and had the same result in back-to-back games since early February.
The Magic (27-39) were coming off a Sunday home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
They were 6-6 since Feb. 5 before Tuesday, not going on a losing streak or winning streak during that stretch.
Treading water is part of the reason why they’ve been stuck at 13th in the Eastern Conference’s standings since the beginning of the year. They’re 14-15 since the start of the calendar year.
It’s also why they’re multiple games back in the play-in tournament race and haven’t jumped ahead in the standings.
After Tuesday, the Magic are:
- 5 games behind the Toronto Raptors for the No. 9 spot;
- 4 1/2 games behind the Washington Wizards for No. 10;
- 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago Bulls for No. 11;
- 2 games behind the Indiana Pacers for No. 12.
That’s identical to where they were before the All-Star break.
Brook Lopez led the Bucks, who were without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (non-COVID illness) and All-star guard Jrue Holiday (neck soreness), with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Khris Middleton (24 points, 11 assists) and Jevon Carter (24 points, 5 assists) combined for 48 points.
Cole Anthony led the Magic with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting off the bench.
Franz Wagner (21 points and 6 assists) and Paolo Banchero (20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists) also scored at least 20.
With just 16 games remaining in the regular season, the Magic understand they can’t tread water for much longer and still qualify for the tournament.
Seeds 7-10 in each conference compete in the play-in tournament for the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds in the playoffs.
“We know to get into that position. We got to put a couple together,” second-year guard Jalen Suggs said. “But when you start looking too far ahead like that, you start to lose the task at hand. You can only do one thing at a time, win one game at a time.”
The Magic are 22-20 in their last 42 games dating to Dec. 5 — when Anthony and Markelle Fultz (16 points, 4 assists) were no longer playing under minutes restrictions after making their returns the previous week.
Having a .500-plus record for more than half the season is a positive step for a team that went 22-60 last year and 5-19 to start this season, in large part because of the injuries.
Their growth has been evident, especially defensively. The Magic are No. 8 in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) in that stretch.
But they’re wanting more to show for their progress.
“Just coming in locked in every night to who that opponent is, that will put us in a position to be right where we want to be,” Suggs said. “The further you look ahead and not handle what’s in the moment, you’re going to lose.”
Starting big man Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip pain) and guard Gary Harris (sore left adductor) weren’t available vs. the Bucks for the second consecutive game.
Coach Jamahl Mosley responded “no” when asked pregame if there were any concerns their injuries could lead to extended absences.
Carter and Harris were listed on the injury report as questionable before being ruled out about three hours before tipoff. Suggs and Moe Wagner (18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists) once again started in their place.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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