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Following a victory in New York on Wednesday night, the Orlando Magic returned home for a quick stop to host the Milwaukee Bucks, before hitting the road once again. The Magic were able to win their second straight, taking down the Bucks, 101-85.
The Bucks came out of the gate strong, jumping out on the Magic 21-8 before the Magic finally found their groove. Orlando close the quarter on a 17-9 run to cut the Bucks lead to just five going into the second quarter. Milwaukee's fast start was aided by total domination in the paint, going 12-of-15 for 24 points, compared to Orlando's 4-of-15 for eight points. Despite going 2-of-6 from the field, Nikola Vucevic led the Magic in scoring, finishing with seven in the quarter, while Brandon Knight led the way for the Bucks with 14. Victor Oladipo made his long awaited season debut, scoring five points and grabbing two rebounds off the bench in almost four minutes of first quarter action.
Milwaukee continued their dominance in the painted area in the second quarter, scoring 18 of their 19 quarter points in the paint. Despite their continued success in the paint, they were unable to slow down the Magic's parade to the free throw line. Orlando took 18 free throws, making 15, compared to five attempts and four makes for the Bucks. Tobias Harris led the way for the Magic in the half, finishing with 12, while Knight continued to dominate for the Bucks, pushing his total up to 19 in the half.
Coming out of halftime, the Magic played with a good level of energy, smothering the Bucks on the defensive end. After scoring 42 points in the paint in the first half, Milwaukee was held to just two points there in the third quarter. Evan Fournier, who had a poor shooting first half, went 4-of-6 in the quarter en route to 11 points. Oladipo, who played most of the quarter in place of Elfrid Payton who was struggling, scored five points, and looked comfortable with the ball in his hands in multiple situations.
After struggling in the third, the Bucks, behind Giannis Antetoknmpo, tried to mount a comeback. Despite the best efforts from the Greekfeak, the Bucks were unable to get the Magic lead under seven the entire quarter. Harris' strong play was too much, as the Magic pulled away for their second straight win.
Orlando was led by Harris, who finished with a game high 26 points and 10 rebounds. Vucevic's strong play continued, as he finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Despite not having his best night shooting the ball, Fournier finished with 15, while Oladipo finished with 13 off the bench in his season debut.
Knight led the way for Bucks, finishing with 24 points on the night. Off the bench, Antentekunmpo finished with a career high 19, with John Henson finishing with 10 of his won.