Magic Outlast Bucks Late to Snap Losing Skid

MILWAUKEE – In a way, it was only right that the Orlando Magic's resilience be tested one last time.

After Giannis Antetokounmpo's and-one cut the Magic's lead to two with 15.9 to play, Cole Anthony turned it over and gave Milwaukee a chance to steal victory with 6.6 seconds on the clock.

But when Damian Lillard, well-defended by Franz Wagner, stepped back for a game-winning three-pointer that missed off back iron, the Magic had outlasted the fourth-seeded Bucks for a "gritty" 111-109 road victory.

"It's this group," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame. "It's who they are. It's what they grabbed a hold of to be: tough, gritty, confident in each other no matter what the circumstances are."

Following three consecutive losses by a combined five points, Orlando's close win marks the first time in franchise history the team has played four straight games decided by two or fewer points.

"We've been hungry, man. We've been hungry for a win," Anthony said postgame. "It doesn't get much better than a win against a team like this in this environment. This is one of the top teams in the East, multiple All-Stars, in their home gym. I mean, that's high-level right there. Big shoutout to the team, big shoutout to Mose. That was a great win."

Orlando's win snapped a five-game losing skid on the first stop of a five-city road trip, improving the Magic to 30-35 this season. After Miami's loss to Chicago, Orlando leapfrogged back into eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 17 games to play.

It was the Magic's first win at Milwaukee since Feb. 9, 2019, but it's the first win with Antetokounmpo playing for the Bucks since April 4, 2015.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando's scoring with 29 points. Anthony followed with 22 and nine assists, including a crucial late dump-off to Wendell Carter Jr. for a dunk that ended up being the difference on the evening.

"He was able to get by his guy any time he wanted and collapse the defense," Banchero said. "I would say that was the play of the game, [it] put us from a one-possession to a two-possession game, and that was all him making that play. He was on tonight and he was making the right plays out there."

Franz Wagner had 18 points while Anthony Black scored 11 off the Magic bench.

Milwaukee's All-NBA duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard combined for 63 points while three other Bucks finished in double figures.

Collectively, Orlando shot 51.2 percent from the field, but only made 4-of-20 triples after the 8-12 start. The Magic turned 13 Bucks turnovers into 21 points, which allowed them to score often before Milwaukee's staunch defense could get set.

"We challenged the guys to get out on the fastbreak [and] to play fast, because you don't want to play against their set defense," Mosley said. "Because we're going to hang our hat on the defensive end of the floor, we've got to make sure we convert on the other end. I know they only have us down for seven fastbreak points, but I believe we might've had 15 to 17."

Orlando came out of the gates hot. The Magic made eight threes in the first 12 minutes while limiting the Bucks scoreless from distance, helping the visitors lead by 14 at the quarter break.

Milwaukee made a push as Orlando's shotmaking slowed in the second quarter, minimizing Orlando's advantage to just seven halfway through. Yet, Orlando stabilized itself to re-establish a double-digit halftime lead despite not making a three in the quarter.

"Even after the shotmaking cooled, I think we did a great job of playing with the lead," Anthony said.

Lillard caught fire quickly out of halftime, draining three triples in under four minutes to bring the Bucks within eight. When another third-quarter lull threatened, the Magic again had an answer. Orlando led by 14 points as the final 12 minutes approached.

"Dame got himself going a little bit, he attacked the basket [and] made some big shots, but our guys kept a level of poise about them the entire game," Mosley said.

"I think we just kept communicating," Banchero said. "Players telling the coaches what they saw out there on the floor, and it was just a very interactive huddle every time we came in. Everybody was just involved."

Then, in the final 12 minutes, the Bucks pieced together a 13-0 run to draw within two, and the contest stayed within a three-possession window the rest of the way.

Although Orlando's response wasn't as emphatic down the stretch, it was just enough to stave off the Bucks' comeback attempt and earn a much-needed win.

Up Next

The Magic's travel to face the Houston Rockets at 8 p.m. ET Monday, March 10 on the second stop of their five-game road trip.

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