Anthony Black scored 26 points and Desmond Bane added 25 as the Orlando Magic pulled away in the second half to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-99 on Monday night, snapping Milwaukee’s season-long three-game winning streak.
Franz Wagner returned to the lineup after missing 23 of the last 25 games with a high ankle sprain. Wagner came off the bench for the first time in his career, playing 17 minutes and finishing with 14 points and five rebounds.
Kevin Porter Jr. led Milwaukee with 28 points and seven assists, but the Bucks struggled to take care of the ball, committing 20 turnovers and allowing 67 points after halftime. All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) missed his 15th straight game.
Orlando seized control late in the third quarter. Mo Wagner hit two 3-pointers, with Franz Wagner and Jase Richardson adding one each during a 14-2 run that stretched the Magic’s lead to 15. Black took over in the fourth, scoring Orlando’s first three baskets before knocking down a 3-pointer that pushed the margin to 20.
The Magic’s shooting improved dramatically after the break. Orlando went just 4 of 21 from beyond the arc in the first half but connected on 10 of 21 in the second.
Veteran guard Cam Thomas, signed by Milwaukee as a free agent Sunday, scored four points in 13 minutes. Jevon Carter made his Magic debut, playing the final four minutes after signing with Orlando on Friday.
Up next:
The teams meet again Wednesday night in Orlando.
