The Milwaukee Bucks faced long odds Friday night before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder even started with stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard out with injuries. The Thunder, after all, was still in the mix for the top seed in the Western Conference and tied with Denver for the second-best home record in the NBA.

But, the Bucks (49-32) kept it competitive for three quarters before the Thunder (56-25) eventually wore them down in a 125-107 loss at the Paycom Center.

Khris Middleton scored nine straight points and 11 of his 18 in the opening minutes of the third quarter to help Milwaukee get within shouting distance at 80-70 after trailing by as many as 19, but the Thunder would not let them get closer than that.

Middleton was 7 for 10 from the floor and had seven rebounds and six assists 23 minutes to lead the Bucks while Brook Lopez also scored 18 points in 23 minutes. Bobby Portis had eight rebounds and four points in 21 minutes while Pat Beverley had seven assists and six points in 24 points.

Malik Beasley added 17 points as he reached double figures in scoring for the first time since April 3. He was the only starter to play 30 minutes.

The Thunder was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23 points, seven rebounds), Chet Holmgren (22 points, nine rebounds) and Jalen Williams (17 points).

Despite the loss to the Thunder, the Bucks still control their own destiny regarding the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference – they just need to beat the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon in Florida.

But, Doc Rivers said before the game there are some limits to just how they might accomplish that.

“Listen, we’d love to get the two seed – we have to win a game,” he said before the game Friday.

“So, that’s at play. But let’s just say Sunday if Dame wasn’t right, we’re not gonna play him. Otherwise, something happens there and you’re in a lot of trouble. We want the two seed. There’s no doubt about it. But we want to be healthy, too.”

Milwaukee would clinch that position as it would give them its 50th win of the season, and the Bucks possess a tiebreaker over the New York Knicks. New York is the only other team in the East that can win 50 games.

However, there’s a chance the Bucks might drop out of the top spot if they lose in Orlando.

After defeating Brooklyn, New York moved up to 49-32, while Cleveland defeated Indiana to move up to 48-33.

If the Bucks fall to the Magic, any club may take the second position. But the No. 4 seed is the lowest Milwaukee may go in the rankings.