MILWAUKEE — In a commanding performance, Damian Lillard tallied 30 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 26 points along with 11 rebounds, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a decisive 122-93 victory against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
With this win, the Bucks improved their record to 22-17, overtaking the Magic (now at 23-19) to claim the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Milwaukee has dominated the season series against Orlando, boasting a 3-0 record, with the final matchup set for March 8 in Milwaukee.
The Bucks established a strong lead early, finishing the first quarter up 34-16, resulting in their largest-margin victory of the season. This followed a previous night’s impressive performance where they started with a 47-26 lead against Sacramento, ultimately winning that game 130-115 and ending the Kings’ seven-game winning streak.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero was the standout for his team with 22 points, but the Magic struggled throughout the game, especially with their shooting percentage. Milwaukee’s Andre Jackson Jr. did not play in the second half due to a hip bruise.
Key insights from the game showed that after a narrowly contested defeat to the Bucks just five nights prior, Orlando’s shooting woes were evident, as they managed only 34.7% from the field— the lowest shooting percentage the Bucks have allowed all season. In stark contrast, Milwaukee recorded an impressive 62.5% shooting, generating numerous open opportunities near the basket.
A significant turning point came during the first quarter when Milwaukee went on a remarkable 19-point scoring spree, ballooning their lead to 27-9. Lillard was pivotal during this stretch, notching nine points, including a long-range three-pointer from over 30 feet.
In terms of key statistics, the Magic shot 12 of 46 from the field, while the Bucks excelled with 7 of 12 from beyond the arc. Notably, according to Sportradar, this marked the fewest three-point attempts by any team in an NBA game this season.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to compete again on Friday, with the Magic making the trip to face the Boston Celtics, while the Bucks will be welcoming the Toronto Raptors to their home court.
