ORLANDO, Fla. _ No matter how much the Orlando Magic kept fighting against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, they could never quite get enough momentum to rally from a huge early deficit at Amway Center.
The Magic, who trailed by as many as 19 points in the second quarter, got as close as four points in the final period, but Milwaukee was just too much and held off the home team, 118-108.
The Bucks eventually pulled away late, but this game was much closer than the final score would indicate, and much of that was thanks to Magic guard Terrence Ross.
Ross scored nine straight points to end third period and give the Magic fans a glimmer of hope heading into the final period trailing just 87-82. The Bucks, thanks to a season-high 30 points from Eric Bledsoe, kept answering every Orlando surge and eventually pulled away. Bucks top scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo had a quiet 25 points to boost the Bucks.
Orlando was led by Nikola Vucevic's 27 points and six rebounds, and Ross had 16 points.
The Magic, missing starting guard/forward Aaron Gordon due to a sore back, got significant minutes from their bench with Jonathon Simmons starting in Gordon's spot and playing for the first time in four games. Also impressive off the bench were point guard Isaiah Briscoe.
The Bucks tried to take charge in this one early. They pulled out to several big leads, including their biggest of the game at 19 points _ 53-34 with 4:30 left in first half _ but the Magic kept fighting back. Orlando was still within 59-46 despite going four minutes in the second quarter during which the Magic had just two field goals.
