Magic Starting 5: Orlando Struggles on Defense vs. Bucks

The Magic Insider lists five of the biggest NBA storylines in addition to relevant Orlando Magic news and analysis.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 2, 2023

Magic Starting 5: Orlando Struggles on Defense vs. Bucks /

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Orlando Magic

1. MAGIC FALLS VS. BUCKS

"The Magic, one of the best defensive teams in the league as of late, could not stop the red-hot Bucks, who shot over 50 percent from the field and knocked down 26 threes. There were six Bucks that hit at least three triples, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored a game-high 31."

2. MAGIC GOOD LANDING SPOT FOR VICTOR WEMBANYAMA?

"Normally, Orlando's questionable guard play would be an issue for Wembanyama, but the truth is that there are already so many mouths to feed here that it might be for the best," CBS Sports writes. "However, despite his stellar recent play, Markelle Fultz's may not be viable on a team with Wagner, Banchero and Wembanyama. Any point guard who plays with that trio of big ball-handlers has to be a jump-shooter."

3. MAGIC ASCENDING?

"Teams with bottom-five records aren't finished products," Bleacher Report writes. "The Magic are no exception. But their core is showing signs of appreciable growth and staying power, and they're about to add another high-end lottery pick, Chicago's first-rounder (top-four protected) and oodles of cap space to their offseason armory. There is almost no limit to the kind of leap Orlando can make next year."

4. THURSDAY'S GAMES

5. NEXT MAGIC GAME

The Magic will return to the court tomorrow night at home against the Charlotte Hornets at 7:00 p.m. You can watch in-market on Bally Sports Florida or out-of-market on NBA League Pass.

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Published Mar 2, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.