The Orlando Magic used a dominant second half and a breakout performance from Anthony Black to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118–99 on Monday night, snapping Milwaukee’s season-long three-game winning streak.
Black led Orlando with 26 points and took control in the fourth quarter, scoring the Magic’s first three baskets of the period and later drilling a 3-pointer that pushed the lead to 20. Desmond Bane added 25 points as Orlando continued to build momentum down the stretch.
A major storyline for Orlando was the return of forward Franz Wagner, who played 17 minutes after missing 23 of the last 25 games with a high ankle sprain. Coming off the bench for the first time in his career, Wagner contributed 14 points and five rebounds. His presence helped spark a decisive stretch late in the third quarter.
During a 14–2 run, Moritz Wagner knocked down two 3-pointers while Franz Wagner and Jase Richardson each connected from beyond the arc, giving Orlando a 15-point advantage entering the final period.
The Magic struggled from long distance early, shooting just 4-for-21 (19%) from three-point range in the first half, but found their rhythm after halftime, hitting 10-of-21 (48%) from deep. Orlando also capitalized on Milwaukee’s mistakes, as the Bucks committed 20 turnovers and allowed 67 second-half points.
Kevin Porter Jr. led Milwaukee with 28 points and seven assists. The Bucks continued to play without All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed his 15th consecutive game with a calf injury. Veteran guard Cam Thomas, signed by Milwaukee as a free agent Sunday, scored four points in 13 minutes.
For Orlando, Jevon Carter made his Magic debut, playing the final four minutes after signing with the team Friday.
The two teams will meet again Wednesday night in Orlando as Milwaukee looks to even the short two-game set.
