Magic begin 5-game trip with win at Bucks

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Mar 9, 2025

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The Orlando Magic entered Saturday’s contest at Milwaukee on a five-game losing streak.

And the Bucks had won four in a row.

But none of that mattered when Orlando escaped Fiserv Forum with a 111-109 victory while overcoming a 37-point performance from two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Led by 29 points from Paolo Banchero and 22 from Cole Anthony, the Magic were able to open their five-game trip with a much-needed win when they received 26 bench points.

Orlando held on late when seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard missed a go-ahead 3-pointer at the buzzer thanks to the outstretched arm of Franz Wagner.

Back in the win column, the Magic (30-35) continue their road trip Monday at Houston.

Starting 5

Banchero came out firing when he knocked down his first three triples to quickly rack up nine in the opening frame.

His early long-range accuracy was part of a larger effort that saw Orlando shoot 8 of 13 (61.5%) from 3 while Milwaukee missed its first five 3-pointers.

Orlando, however, finished 12 of 32 (37.5%). from distance while the Bucks ended up at 11 of 23 (47.8%).

Banchero, who later posted a 10-point third quarter, opened alongside regulars Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. against the Bucks.

Anthony also produced from 3-point range where he hit a trio of 3s and distributed the ball throughout the night, racking up nine assists.

A slow start for Wagner resulted in him not scoring until the 4:11 mark of the second quarter. He totaled 18 points in 38 minutes as he eventually got more involved on offense.

Second unit

Coach Jamahl Mosley made two changes in his rotation when he re-inserted veteran Gary Harris back into the second unit and turned toward Caleb Houstan early against the Bucks.

Houstan started the fourth quarter Thursday vs. the Chicago Bulls but hadn’t played in three games prior to his week. Harris also was a healthy scratch in the last four contests before Saturday at Milwaukee.

Those decisions kept second-year pro Jett Howard on the bench when Mosley relied on six reserves throughout the night: Houstan, Harris, Anthony Black, Tristan da Silva and bigs Goga Bitadze and Jonathan Isaac.

Black provided a boost off the bench when he attacked the paint often in the first quarter and finished with 11 points in 18 minutes.

Rookie watch

Da Silva saw 11 minutes of action when he missed a pair of 3-pointers.

The No. 18 pick recorded five points with three rebounds in limited action.