By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Vucevic came close to his career-best and set a new playoffs career-high as the Orlando Magic defeated top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks 122-110 in Game 1 of their playoffs series. The Montenegrin big man poured 35 points, 13 rebounds in 36 minutes as Magic celebrated a big victory in the bubble.
Gary Clark and Markelle Fultz complemented Vucevic’s efforts, tapping 15 points each, while French guard Evan Fournier stepped in hot in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 9 points, five assists.
On the Bucks‘ front, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 31 points, 17 rebounds and 7 assists, though his efforts were not enough to stop Magic’s dominance on the court in their first playoffs meeting.
Milwaukee swept the season series against Orlando, winning four games by an average of 17 points, still couldn’t do much for most of the game on both ends of the floor against a solid defensive effort, trailing in total for 41 minutes of the game.
The Bucks came into the postseason as the favorites to win their first NBA title since 1971 despite finishing 3-5 in seeding games, but that was not the case in Game 1.
The series continues Friday (21/8) with Game 2.