Magic End First Half With Tough Loss vs. Bucks

The Orlando Magic couldn't shake off the Milwaukee Bucks in the final game before the All-Star break.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng defends Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero. | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic are going into the All-Star break disappointed after a 116-108 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks inside the Kia Center.

With 1:12 left to go in the game, the Magic sunk a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to two. However, Myles Turner responded with a huge 3-pointer to give the Bucks a two-possession lead. After Wendell Carter Jr. missed a chance to respond, Cam Thomas hit a dagger to put them up eight with 20.6 seconds to go.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. drives around Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black. | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Magic See Win Streak Snap vs. Bucks

The Magic saw Desmond Bane get hot early in the game, making his first five attempts from beyond the three-point line. He finished the game with 31 points on 11 of 17 shooting, with eight makes from downtown.

Bane had some help from Paolo Banchero, who had 17 points on 5-of-16 shooting, while Jalen Suggs had a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists. Anthony Black dropped 13 points, while Mo Wagner had 12 off the bench.

The Bucks were led by Cam Thomas, who joined the team less than a week ago after being cut by the Brooklyn Nets. He scored 34 points on 12 of 20 shooting, making four three-pointers. Ousmane Dieng, who was acquired in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, had 17 points on 6 of 10 shooting with five three-pointers.

Kevin Porter Jr. had a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists, while Jericho Sims had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Kuzma joined the his teammates in double figures with 15 points of his own.

The Magic go into the All-Star Weekend on a whimper and it should leave a bad taste in their mouths as they go into the break. However, there is still some optimism surrounding the team. While they sit 28-25 in the standings, they are getting healthy at the right time and the team knows it can accomplish a lot going into the final two months of the season. They sit just 1.5 games back of the No. 6 seed and five games from homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Magic return to the court next Thursday, Feb. 19 when they begin a four-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings. Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET inside the Golden 1 Center. Fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass.