Bucks beat Magic for 6th straight victory

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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is fouled by Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on December 21, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

MILWAUKEE - Giannis Antetokounmpo had 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Orlando Magic 118-114 on Thursday night for their sixth consecutive victory.

The Bucks went unbeaten on their season-long, six-game homestand and have won 15 straight games at Fiserv Forum. That's the Bucks' longest single-season home win streak since 1991-92, when they won their first 18 at home.

Damian Lillard had 24 points on 5-of-17 shooting and eight assists for Milwaukee. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez added 14 points each.

Franz Wagner scored 29 points for the Magic, who have lost four in a row. Paolo Banchero had 23 points and Moe Wagner 21. Cole Anthony added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Orlando had a 60-40 edge in the paint but went just 8 of 33 on 3-point attempts to continue its slump from long range. The Magic were 9 of 36 from beyond the arc Wednesday in a 115-106 home loss to Miami.

After scoring a season-low 11 points while getting a triple-double Tuesday in a 132-119 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Antetokounmpo had nine points in the first 2 1/2 minutes Thursday while helping the Bucks build an 11-2 lead.

Orlando pulled ahead late in the first quarter and extended its lead to nine early in the second period, but Milwaukee went back ahead for good later in the second.

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After trailing 80-65 midway through the third quarter, the Magic cut Milwaukee’s lead to 93-91 on Franz Wagner’s 3-pointer with 9:02 left in the game.

Orlando had two possessions with a chance to tie the game or pull ahead but failed to score either time. Lopez then scored on a pass from Malik Beasley to start a 9-2 spurt.

The Magic got the margin back down to five with two minutes left but couldn't get any closer until Gary Harris hit a 3-pointer in the final second.

Orlando was missing Jalen Suggs because of a sprained left wrist and Joe Ingles due to a sprained left ankle.

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Magic: At Indiana on Saturday.

Bucks: Begin a four-game road swing on Saturday with the first of two straight matchups against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.