Milwaukee, WI – The Orlando Magic (30-35) rediscovered their identity and demonstrated it with a decisive victory over the Milwaukee Bucks (36-26) in Milwaukee on Saturday night.
This marked Orlando’s first win in Milwaukee since 2019, and was the first time in recent memory that they resembled the spirited 2023 playoff team.
In other words, they remembered who they were and played like it.
The Magic displayed grit and focus, and their shots fell early, resulting in a 34-20 first-quarter advantage over the Bucks.
Paolo Banchero went 3-for-3 from three-point range, and Cole Anthony hit 2-of-3 in the first quarter, providing Orlando with a crucial boost after a series of shooting struggles.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard accounted for the majority of Milwaukee’s first-quarter scoring with a combined 18 points, while Kevin Porter Jr. contributed two.
A highlight of the first quarter was Cole Anthony’s spectacular block of Antetokounmpo’s dunk attempt, denying Giannis in mid-air.
Paolo Banchero led four Magic players in double figures with 29 points, followed by Cole Anthony with 22 points and nine assists, and Franz Wagner with 18 points, as the Magic snapped their five-game losing streak.
“Gritty, gritty. The team was together, completely by committee,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Everybody stepped into their role and trusted each other, played with energy, defended the right way, and shared the basketball. I thought these guys did a tremendous job of trusting each other and playing with an unbelievable spirit.
Orlando built a 17-point lead in the third quarter, but the Bucks’ talent and experience began to take over.
The Bucks cut the deficit to two with six minutes remaining.
Banchero responded with a pair of free throws, one of his four 3-pointers, and a mid-range jumper. Wagner added a mid-range jumper and assisted Anthony on a wide-open three. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made a crucial block on Damian Lillard, forcing the ball out of bounds off Lillard. Wendell Carter Jr. punctuated the victory with a dunk with 25.9 seconds remaining, putting Orlando up by five.
Lillard had a chance to tie the game with a three-point attempt in the final seconds, but missed.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points, while Lillard scored 26. However, Milwaukee was outscored by 19 points when Lillard was on the floor.
Prior to Saturday’s game, the Magic had lost 21 of their previous 23 games in Milwaukee.
Orlando had lost its previous four games by a single point, but had to overcome deficits in each. This win was sweet redemption.
The Magic’s late-season tour continues Monday in Houston against the Rockets. 1
