For the second straight game, the Orlando Magic hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at the Amway Center. With the defending champs getting the better of the Magic in their prior meeting, the two teams laced up once again on Thursday in the Magic’s final game of 2021.
While the Bucks started the same five players as Tuesday’s game, the Magic started Tim Frazier and Freddie Gillespie in place of Robin Lopez and Hassani Gravett, who both entered Health and Safety Protocols.
Recap
The Magic opened the first half significantly better than Tuesday night’s showing. Despite the improvement, Orlando still trailed at the half, 63-51. Once again, the Magic came out and won the third quarter, 34-33, but a fourth quarter comeback was not in the cards for Orlando. With a final score of 136-118, the Bucks swept both games in Orlando.
The Magic played a solid game overall. With six players reaching double figures in scoring, Orlando shot over 48% from the field, which is usually enough for a win. Coming off of a career night on Tuesday, Franz Wagner led the team in scoring yet again. His 20 points barely edged Mo Wagner’s 19 points for the team lead. Wendell Carter Jr. provided a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double to go along with five assists. All in all, the only thing the Magic did poorly was rebound; Milwaukee out-rebounded Orlando 50-33, including 14-6 on offensive rebounds.
To go along with their dominance on the boards, the Bucks shot an impressive 33/36 (91.7%) from the free throw line. Milwaukee’s big three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday led the team to yet another victory; the trio combined for 80 points on the night. DeMarcus Cousins, Wesley Matthews, and Donte DiVincenzo all chipped in double-figure scoring off the bench in a comfortable Bucks win.
Up Next
The Magic start a two-game road trip against the struggling Boston Celtics on Sunday, January 2. The Magic will have a few days to get healthy and get back on the winning track before the 6:00 PM tip-off.
(Featured image by Jacob M. Langston/AP Photo)