By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Jumping to 5-4 was paired with the first win versus the Milwaukee Bucks since March 14, 2018. The Orlando Magic snapped a 14-game losing streak with a confident display on the latest edition of NBA Saturdays.
“It is more like a mindset of who we are in those last four minutes. And locking in defensively, not turning it over, which we did a great job today, and not giving up threes,” German Moritz Wagner described holding off the Bucks down the stretch.
Wagner, 26, has upgraded his contribution to 11.5 points per game, coming off the bench in all eight showings early in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season. Matching his season-high 19 points helped secure the win on Saturday.
“That is what the league is. Close games. You got to win close games,” he said, “We did not do that last year. I think that is one step we got to take this year if we want to make the Playoffs.”
His brother, Franz Wagner tallied 24 points. Paolo Banchero had a game-high 26 points. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a 35-point, 10-rebound double-double alongside seven rebounds, four steals, and two blocks.
“You can’t really stop him. You just got to make it as difficult as possible,” confessed Banchero about containing the Freak, “That is a great game but we did a good job.”
Up next for the Magic is a four-game road trip starting opposite the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
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