Giannis-less Bucks beat Magic for 18th win in 19 games

Brook Lopez finished with 26 points, Kris Middleton and Jevon Carter each added 24 points and the visiting Milwaukee Bucks beat the Orlando Magic 134-123 at Amway Center on Tuesday night for their 18th win in 19 games.

14-straight wins vs. Magic. pic.twitter.com/fEKT9U3TNs

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 8, 2023

The Bucks, who shot 59% and ran their winning streak against the Magic to 14 games, played without All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (non-COVID-19 illness) and Jrue Holiday (sore neck).

Bench shenanigans. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/WO5jTuXF0r

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 8, 2023

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Cole Anthony led the Magic with 23 points. Franz Wagner added 21 points and Paolo Banchero had 20 points and five rebounds.

The Magic home loss marked the first time they suffered consecutive defeats since late January and had the same result in back-to-back games since early February.

Crowder, playing in only his sixth game with the Bucks, scored seven straight points late in the third quarter to put the Bucks up 98-83.

The Magic were down by eight points until Portis and Middleton led a fourth-quarter charge that pushed the Bucks’ lead to 16, their largest of the game.

G Lindell Wigginton played 31 seconds after signing a two-way contract Tuesday. G Goran Dragic, who signed with Milwaukee on Saturday, is rehabbing a sore left knee and is close to playing.

C Wendell Carter (left hip) and G Gary Harris (sore left abductor) sat out a second straight game. … The Magic shot 26 for 95 (27.4%) in three games against Milwaukee.

The Bucks host the Brooklyn Nets, while the Magic host Utah Jazz on Thursday.