Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered another dominant performance with 37 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 128-114 victory over the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Wednesday night.
The two-time MVP shot 14-of-20 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line, continuing his torrid start to the season. Antetokounmpo has now scored 30 or more points in seven of his last eight games, helping Milwaukee improve to 15-6 on the season and maintain their grip on second place in the Eastern Conference.
Lillard Provides Perfect Complement
Damian Lillard added 25 points and eight assists, going 5-for-9 from three-point range. The veteran guard has found his rhythm alongside Antetokounmpo after a slow start to his first season in Milwaukee, averaging 26.8 points over his last five games.
“Dame and I are starting to read each other better,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “When he’s making shots like that, we’re really tough to stop.”
The Bucks shot 52.4% from the field and connected on 16 of 35 three-point attempts, overwhelming Orlando’s young defense with their veteran precision.
Magic’s Youth Movement Shows Fight
Orlando (11-12) kept pace early behind Paolo Banchero’s 28 points and seven rebounds. The second-year forward went 11-for-18 from the field, continuing his emergence as one of the league’s most promising young players.
Franz Wagner contributed 22 points and six assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Magic have won six of their last 10 games despite their modest record, showing the kind of progress that has management optimistic about their rebuild.
“We’re competing every night,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That’s all you can ask from a young group. We’re learning what it takes to win games at this level.”
Third Quarter Surge Decides Contest
Milwaukee entered halftime with just a 65-62 advantage before exploding for 38 points in the third quarter. Antetokounmpo scored 14 points in the frame, while Lillard connected on three three-pointers to push the lead to 103-89 entering the fourth.
The Magic managed just 27 third-quarter points, shooting 9-for-20 from the field as Milwaukee’s defensive pressure intensified. Brook Lopez anchored the interior defense with three blocks, while Jrue Holiday’s absence due to illness didn’t slow the Bucks’ perimeter defense.
Bench Production Tilts Scales
Milwaukee’s bench outscored Orlando’s reserves 42-28, with Bobby Portis contributing 16 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes. The veteran forward has provided consistent energy off the bench all season, averaging 12.8 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 39.2% from three-point range.
Orlando’s bench struggled to match that production, with rookie Anthony Black showing flashes but managing just eight points on 3-for-7 shooting. The Magic’s depth remains a work in progress as they continue developing their young core.
Eastern Conference Implications
The victory keeps Milwaukee within striking distance of the Boston Celtics (16-4) atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Bucks have won four of their last five games and appear to be hitting their stride after some early-season chemistry questions surrounding their revamped roster.
For Orlando, the loss drops them to 11th in the East, but they remain just 2.5 games out of the final play-in tournament spot. The Magic have exceeded expectations through the first quarter of the season, thanks largely to Banchero’s development and improved team chemistry.
The teams combined for 62 three-point attempts, with Milwaukee making 16 compared to Orlando’s 11 makes on 27 tries. The pace-and-space approach favored the more experienced Bucks, who have multiple players comfortable in transition and half-court sets.
Milwaukee returns home to face the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, while Orlando begins a four-game road trip Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
