Orlando Magic Snaps Losing Streak in Statement-Building Win vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks posed a challenge, but the Orlando Magic passed an early-season test with flying colors.

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is back in the win column after a 112-97 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night inside the Amway Center.

While the two teams traded jabs during the first quarter, the Magic put itself in the driver's seat with a 36-point second quarter. This put Orlando up 16 points going into the locker rooms.

The Magic has had challenges in holding on to big leads, but Orlando still kept things locked in during the second half. Milwaukee cut the deficit to 11 at one point, but that was all the Bucks could get against the Magic.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) stares at Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half at Amway Center / Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero led the way with a double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. 

Franz Wagner also played well with 24 points of his own, while his brother Moe chipped in with 19 points off the bench. Jalen Suggs was also big on both ends of the floor, scoring 20 points on an efficient 5 of 11 shooting.

For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 35.

The victory puts Orlando back over .500 at 5-4. Last season, it took 16 games for the Magic to achieve its fifth win, and the team went on a nine-game losing streak. It's unlikely we'll see a similar regression if the Magic can play the way it did tonight. 

Even with Damian Lillard not playing, Orlando beat a talented Milwaukee team and it should be proud of the way it played tonight.

The Magic will now embark on a four-game road trip, which begins Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets in the franchise's first-ever In-Season Tournament game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.