Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks: Game preview

MILWAUKEE- How close is the Eastern Conference playoff race?

The Orlando Magic (46-33), currently in fourth place, are just two games out of second place and just two games out of eighth place with three games remaining.

That means every meeting from now on is crucial for a team that could host a playoff series or two, or that could fall all the way to the NBA's play-in tournament.

The Magic, still in control of their postseason fate in many ways, will look to bounce back from a devastating loss in Houston just a night earlier when they face the Milwaukee Bucks (48-31) for the second straight night. compete on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

“We can’t hang our heads,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “We have to come out and chase Milwaukee (on Wednesday). That's how it has to be. Take the lessons from this and bounce back tomorrow.”

Orlando, which has the league's third-best defensive rating (110.7) this season, will need to play closer to its defensive standard in Milwaukee than it did in Houston if it wants to defeat a team currently in the coveted two spots in the East.

“We needed a little more urgency (in Houston),” Magic guard Jalen Suggs said. “It's hard, it's hard. Boys are tired, boys are in pain. You can make any excuse you want, but (at) this time of year you have to find ways to make it through it all.”

Finding a way forward will be crucial for both teams, each of which could be missing key pieces in their rotation. Franz Wagner is currently battling a right ankle sprain for Orlando, while two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a strained calf in the Bucks' win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

But even without the eight-time All-Star in its lineup, Milwaukee still has plenty of firepower.

The Bucks' other eight-time All-Star, guard Damian Lillard, is still one of the NBA's top 20 scorers with 24.4 points per game.

“He’s Damian Lillard; I don’t think there’s anything more to say,” Suggs explained. “Everyone knows their game. Everyone knows how special he is. He is one of the top 75 players to ever play in this league. So from my perspective it's an amazing opportunity. An opportunity to practice everything I'm working on – my mental strength, my spirit, my competitiveness, my defense and my attention to detail. (This) will all be tested to the limit (on Wednesday). Not just him… the Milwaukee Bucks are a good team.”

Milwaukee as a unit scores the fourth-most points in the league at 119.5 per clip while making the fifth-most 3-pointers per game (14.3). Defensively, they are supported by center Brook Lopez, whose 2.4 blocks per appearance are the second most in the association.

KEY STATS: Orlando can clinch a playoff spot with a win AND a loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat tonight.

The Magic can also secure the Southeast Division crown with a win and a Heat loss.

IN AND OFF: Orlando and Milwaukee's injury reports are not yet available.

QUOTE FOR NOTE: “There have been a lot of increases (in coverage of Paolo Banchero). There were three or four guys on him at the same time. Double teams releasing the ball to get it, (and) crowds. That's what he'll continue to see, too (and he'll continue to make the right play and continue to find his teammates). That's what we need to keep looking for. Then when we get it, we have to be ready to step in and take those shots.” – Mosley on the increased defensive attention on Banchero without Franz on the floor