Orlando @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 14, 2018 ) Milwaukee 117, Orlando 126

The Milwaukee Bucks continue to prepare themselves for the playoffs mentally and physically when they host the disappointing Orlando Magic on Monday night in their regular-season home finale. The Bucks are tied with Miami for sixth in the Eastern Conference and one ahead of Washington with two games to go after knocking off the New York Knicks 115-102 on Saturday.

Milwaukee’s leading scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo (27.1) sat out Saturday’s victory with right ankle soreness and could be rested again, but guard Malcolm Brogdon (quad) may return from a 30-game absence Monday or in Wednesday’s contest at Philadelphia. Milwaukee has won six of its last nine contests and boasts 43 victories - its most since 2009-2010 when it won 46 - but coach Joe Prunty is looking for a consistent effort. “We know how good we can be and we’ve shown it,” Prunty told reporters. “We’ve shown it in games and over stretches of games, but. … we have lulls or games where we haven’t played as well as we’d like to or need to, and that’s what we’re trying to build on every day.” The Magic, who are 8-32 on the road, have been out of the playoff race for quite a while and come in off a 112-101 loss at Eastern Conference-leading Toronto on Sunday night when they allowed 17 makes from 3-point range.

TV: 8 p,m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Wisconsin (MIlwaukee)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (24-56): Leading scorer Aaron Gordon came back after a one-game absence due to a calf injury to score 16 on Sunday while center Nikola Vucevic scored 10 and grabbed nine rebounds after missing two contests with a sore back. Rookies Jamel Artis and Khem Birch have taken advantage of opportunities with playing time down the stretch and are averaging 13.3 and 11.3 points, respectively, the last four games. Swingman Mario Hezonja, a former fifth overall draft pick, is averaging 14 points over the last five contests - more than four above his season mark.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (43-37): Guard Eric Bledsoe registered his second double-double since being acquired by Milwaukee on Saturday as he recorded 22 points along with 10 assists and is scoring 25.6 per game over the last five. “He was huge (Saturday), he controlled the game, especially in that second half,” forward Khris Middleton told reporters of Bledsoe. “He found guys, got guys in the right spots and also got himself going, which is what we needed.” Middleton has also been more productive of late, averaging 23 points over the last seven contests - 2.6 above his season mark.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Orlando G Terrence Ross (knee, leg) returned to the lineup for the first time since late November and scored three points in 10 minutes against Toronto.

2. Milwaukee SG Shabazz Muhammad and SG Tony Snell are also questionable with ankle injuries.

3. The Bucks lead the season series two games to one, but dropped a 126-117 decision at Orlando on March 14.

PREDICTION: Bucks 112, Magic 100