Bucks Zone

The Milwaukee Bucks lose to the Orlando Magic for first back-to-back losses in the season

Milwaukee couldn’t get its game going in Orlando.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

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Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t recover from an erratic first half, dropping a 97-112 decision to the Orlando Magic on Saturday night. The Bucks got handed their first back-to-back losses in the season, falling to 1-3 on the road and 5-4 overall.

It was the Magic’s first win over the Bucks in the last 15 games. Milwaukee also lost for the first time in Orlando since March 14, 2018. They had won three straight before the two-game slump.

Lack of support

Two nights after scoring 54 points in their 124-126 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 35 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.

GIannis’ didn’t get enough support with starters Cameron Payne, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez adding just a combined 33 points. Malik Beasley started but was held scoreless in 20 minutes of play.

Error-prone Bucks

The Bucks played without Damian Lillard (calf soreness), whose scoring ability was sorely missed as Milwaukee shot a dismal 9-for-29 from the three-point area.

Milwaukee committed nine turnovers and missed nine free throws in the first half. Orlando was quick to capitalize on those miscues, ending the first half with 65-49 at the half. The Bucks finished the game with 19 turnovers, nine committed by Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak had turnovers in their loss to Indiana.

The Bucks got no closer than 11 points in the second half, where the Magic led by as many as 21 points to chalk up the win pulling away.

Paolo Banchero collected 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Franz Wagner added 24, while Mo Wagner had 19 points in the Magic’s fifth win in nine games. Jalen Suggs added 20 points for Orlando, which drew five points, three rebounds, and five assists from ex-Buck Joe Ingles.

Milwaukee Bucks' odd start offers cause for concern

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.