The Milwaukee Bucks hope to win consecutive games and stay somewhat attached to the 10th and final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference when they host the Orlando Magic tonight at Fiserv Forum.
Orlando took a 100-70 lead after the third quarter after Milwaukee only managed 15 points in the frame on 6 of 19 shooting.
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The Bucks have no answer for Magic star Paolo Banchero, as he scored 25 points on 10 of 12 shooting from the field and 3 of 5 from the free throw line. Banchero was also 3-for-5 from behind the 3-point line in helping Orlando to a 67-55 lead at the break. Bobby Portis Jr. scored 18 in the first half for Milwaukee.
Orlando took a 25-15 lead after one quarter because Milwaukee shot just 30% overall and only 12.5% (1-for-8) from behind the 3-point line. They also turned it over five times and missed three free throws. It was the lowest scoring first quarter for the Bucks this season.
The Bucks (27-35) snapped a four-game losing streak with a win against lowly Utah on March 7, while the Magic blew out Western Conference contender Minnesota. Jamahl Mosley’s squad has won three in a row and vaulted into the playoff picture as the East’s current No. 6 seed at 34-28.
Is Giannis playing?
No.
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The Bucks star is missing his first game since returning from a nearly six-week absence because he played 27 minutes against Utah on March 7. It was always unlikely that Antetokounmpo would play back-to-back games.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives past Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
11-18
The Bucks are just 16-17 when Antetokounmpo plays.
More: What does Giannis Antetokounmpo want? He wants to retire with the Milwaukee Bucks
Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (right calf injury management)
Kevin Porter Jr., out (right knee swelling): Head coach Doc Rivers said that the team will take a “conservative” approach with Porter but there is a chance the point guard can return to action this season.
Kyle Kuzma, out (thoracic spine contusion): Kuzma began the day as questionable to play but was ruled out about 45 minutes before the game.”That sounds awful,” Rivers said of the injury designation. “He wasn’t moving great in our little walkthrough but we’ll see.”
Bucks starters
Guards: Ryan Rollins, AJ Green
Forwards: Ousmane Dieng, Jericho Sims
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) flings the ball past Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) flings the ball past Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is fouled by Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey (19) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) is fouled by Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) scores on Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) fouls Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) guards Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) makes a move on Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) is double-teamed by Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) and center Jericho Sims (00) during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Utah Jazz forward Blake Hinson (2) is guarded by Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the second half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) drives into Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) scores during the first half of their game against the Utah Jazz Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) grabs a pass during the first half of their game against the Utah Jazz Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) hits a three-point basket during the first half of their game against the Utah Jazz Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) knocks the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) fails to score on Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives past Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) steals the ball from Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is shown during the first half of their game against the Utah Jazz Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers talks with guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the first half of their game against the Utah Jazz Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Utah Jazz 113-99
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy talks to guard Keyonte George (3) during the first half of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
NBA playoff standings
The Bucks are out of the postseason picture entirely. Here are the play-in standings in the Eastern Conference heading into game play on March 8:
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No. 7: Miami (35-29):Â The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. Milwaukee travels to Miami on March 12.
No. 8: Philadelphia (34-29):Â The 76ers have won the season series over the Bucks, winning the first three games. The Bucks head to Philadelphia to end the season on April 12.
No. 9: Atlanta (33-31):Â The Bucks and Hawks have split the season series 1-1. Milwaukee travels to Atlanta on March 14.
No. 10: Charlotte (32-32):Â The Bucks own the tiebreaker over the Hornets having won the season series 3-1.
No. 11: Milwaukee (27-35): The Bucks have had better luck against the play-in teams to date, as they are just 5-14 against the top six seeds in the conference.
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“I think you can look at (the standings) and just see what it is but you gotta then come back to the now,” Bucks guard AJ Green said at shootaround on March 7. “We have a game today. How can we get better today? What do we need to work on. We gotta win today. Just keep controlling what we can and worry about ourselves.”
What time is the Bucks game?
The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Wesley Matthews and Melanie Ricks on the call.
Bucks vs. Magic odds
Orlando is a 3.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, with the over/under set at 218.5 points per BetMGM.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Magic leads Bucks 100-70 after third quarter