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Nov 27, 2015 - 6:32 PM While the Orlando Magic have enjoyed the early return from a lineup adjustment, the Milwaukee Bucks have slipped into a defensive lull that has them desperate for a change.

The Magic hope to notch a second straight win Friday night with one of their best players contributing off the bench while the visiting Bucks continue to search for answers, minus suspended coach Jason Kidd.

Milwaukee has won four of six in this series, including a 115-100 victory on Jan. 29 that snapped a 17-game losing streak at Orlando.

The Magic (7-8) followed wins in four of five games with losses in three of four, leading to a mix-up of coach Scott Skiles' starting five against New York on Wednesday.

Skiles, searching for a boost defensively and some scoring off the bench, started Channing Frye in place of Victor Oladipo, who responded with a season-high 24 points. The third-year shooting guard made just 5 of 15 shots but hit 13 of 15 free throws to provide a spark in a 100-91 victory.

Oladipo averaged just 6.3 points on 32.3-percent shooting in his previous four games while missing two in the middle with a concussion. He started 71 of his 72 games a year ago and the first 12 of this season.

''I came in with a little chip on my shoulder,'' Oladipo said. ''A lot of it was just getting back to being who I am and realizing when I do that, we have a good chance of winning.''

The Magic, who have won five of six at home, shot 39.5 percent but were well balanced. Nikola Vucevic finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Tobias Harris had 17 and 10 and Elfrid Payton added 12 points and 11 assists.

Orlando, which has shot better than 50 percent just once this season, might be in line for another step forward against a Milwaukee defense allowing 114.0 points per game in its last five contests.

The defensive slump included a 109-88 win over Detroit on Monday, but the Bucks followed with their sixth loss in eight games on Wednesday, an ugly 129-118 home loss against Sacramento.

Milwaukee (6-9), loser of four straight on the road, allowed the Kings to score 40 first-quarter points, but it was actions at the end of the game that suggested frustrations have finally boiled over.

Kidd was ejected with 1:49 left after swatting the ball out of referee Zach Zarba's hand following a non-foul call against his team. Kidd needed to be restrained by players and an assistant coach before retreating to the locker room, resulting in a one-game suspension which will keep him away from this matchup.

The extracurricular activities didn't end with his ejection, however. Directly following the game, Kings and Bucks players were heard shouting at each other in a hallway leading to the locker rooms.

''I was having a Coke and eating some popcorn,'' Kidd said. ''I was sent in early. I don't know what happened.''

Milwaukee players wouldn't shed light on the altercation either, but Kidd did admit that his interaction with Zarba was linked to a lack of whistles for his team.

''But that wasn't the issue of the game," Kidd said. "They got our temperature and saw we didn't want to play defense.''

Sacramento finished at 57.1-percent shooting, the highest against Milwaukee this season. After allowing opponents to shoot better than 50 percent once in their first 10 games, the Bucks have held foes under that number just once in their last five.

Teams have scored more than 100 points in six of seven against Milwaukee and at least 115 in four of five.