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By Eric Nehm and Rebecca Tauber
The Orlando Magic put up a fight, but it was the Milwaukee Bucks who emerged victorious, securing a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals with a 114-109 win on Tuesday night.
The lead swapped hands multiple times in the fourth quarter, with the game hanging in the balance until the final minute. Damian Lillard of the Bucks sank a crucial 3-pointer to tie the score at 106-106. A subsequent layup put the Bucks ahead, and a successful challenge by Orlando granted Milwaukee possession, leading to a series of key free throws.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 37 points, along with four blocks and seven rebounds. Lillard contributed 28 points, while Bobby Portis added 22.
Despite a strong effort from the Magic, with Jalen Suggs posting a career-high of 32 points, Orlando was missing key players Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero due to injuries.
The Bucks will now travel to Las Vegas for the next round, awaiting the winner of the quarterfinal between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks, scheduled for Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET.
How Milwaukee could emerge victorious
Despite a shaky start to the season, the Bucks have proven themselves as a formidable team. Since November 1, they rank 8th in offensive rating and 16th in defensive rating, excluding their initial five games, as per Cleaning the Glass.
The recent addition of Khris Middleton, who has made an immediate impact coming off the bench in limited minutes, further strengthens the team’s chances of clinching the championship in Las Vegas. However, they are not without their vulnerabilities.
The Bucks have suffered double-digit losses to both potential semifinal opponents, the Hawks and Knicks, who possess guard play that could exploit Milwaukee’s defense. Trae Young and Jalen Brunson have the potential to dominate and send the Bucks home early from Las Vegas. — Eric Nehm, Bucks senior writer
Required reading
(Photo: Benny Sieu / Imagn Images)
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