MILWAUKEE vs. ORLANDO
SCHEDULE
Sunday at Milwaukee, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday at Milwaukee, 5 p.m.
April 28 at Orlando, 5:30 p.m.
May 1 at Orlando, TBD*
May 3 at Milwaukee, TBD*
* if necessary; TBD--to be determined
THE BREAKDOWN
* Team records (seeds): (2) Milwaukee 52-30, (7) Orlando 43-39.
* Season series: Bucks, 4-0; Nov. 27--Milwaukee 104, at Orlando 95; Dec. 26--at Milwaukee 89, Orlando 77; March 23--at Milwaukee 115, Orlando 103; April 16--Milwaukee 101, at Orlando 89.
* Head coaches: George Karl (third season); Doc Rivers (second season).
* Scouting report: Both of these teams were late comers, but the Bucks started earlier and came farther. After a 3-9 start, Milwaukee finished 49-21 with a fearsome launch-and-see-what-happens offense, triggered by Glenn Robinson, finally living up to expectations, Ray Allen and the league’s most underrated player, Sam Cassell. The Magic went 27-16 after learning Grant Hill was out for the season behind the game’s newest superstar, Tracy McGrady, but then finished 4-7. The Bucks can beat anyone or lose to anyone--but they didn’t lose to this team all season. The Magic, anticipating Hill’s return next fall, have a happy-to-be-here look, so they’d better enjoy it while it lasts.
* Prediction: Milwaukee, 3-1.
PROBABLE BUCK STARTERS
F Glenn Robinson 22.0 pts, 6.9 reb
F Scott Williams 6.1 pts, 5.5 reb
C Ervin Johnson 3.2 pts, 7.5 reb
G Ray Allen 22.0 pts, 4.6 ast
G Sam Cassell 18.2 pts, 7.6 ast
KEY RESERVES
F Tim Thomas 12.6 pts, 4.1 reb
F Jason Caffey 7.1 pts, 5.0 reb
G Lindsey Hunter 10.1 pts, 2.7 ast
PROBABLE MAGIC STARTERS
F Mike Miller 11.9 pts, 4.0 reb
F Bo Outlaw 7.3 pts, 7.7 reb
F Andrew DeClercq 3.9 pts, 3.5 reb
G Tracy McGrady 26.8 pts, 7.5 reb
G Darrell Armstrong 15.9 pts, 7.0 ast
KEY RESERVES
F Pat Garrity 8.3 pts
C John Amaechi 7.9 pts, 3.3 reb
F Michael Doleac 6.4 pts, 3.5 reb
G Dee Brown 6.9 pts
* Injury report: MIL--F Jason Caffey (knee); G Sam Cassell (hip); F Tim Thomas (shoulder).
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THE MATCHUPS MIL ORL Avg. points 100.7 (2) 97.5 (6) Avg. points allowed 96.9 (21) 96.5 (18) Avg. rebounds 42.4 (15) 42.9 (11) Opp. avg. rebounds 42.7 (17) 44.8 (25) Field goal % .458 (7) .438 (18) Opp. field goal % .439 (15) .435 (10) Free throw % .787 (3) .714 (26) Three point % .379 (5) .364 (7)
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Research by Roy Jurgens