Middleton scores 30 again, Bucks beat Magic 97-91
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Khris Middleton scored a season-high 30 points for the second time in three games to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 97-91 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
Middleton, who also finished with 30 points Saturday against Washington, was 12 of 17 from the floor. Ersan Ilyasova added 12 points for the Bucks, who have won 10 of their last 12 home games.
Orlando lost its season-high ninth straight road game despite 19 points and 14 rebounds from Nikola Vucevic.
Tobias Harris added 17 points for the Magic, who have not won an away game since Jan. 12 at Chicago.
After two free throws by Michael Carter-Williams gave Milwaukee a 93-91 lead, Harris missed a layup.
Middleton missed a shot but got the ball back and passed to Zaza Pachulia, who dished it to Giannis Antetokounmpo for a dunk as the shot clock expired, giving the Bucks a 95-91 lead with 19 seconds remaining.
Middleton added two free throws with 16 seconds to go for the final six-point margin.
Milwaukee held a 91-89 lead after Middleton drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner with 3:10 remaining. Harris’ layup tied it at 91 with 2:18 to play, but Orlando missed its final four shots.
Vucevic scored three baskets in a row to give Orlando a 70-60 lead, its biggest of the night, midway through the third quarter.
Milwaukee responded with a 12-2 run, including the final eight points of the quarter, to forge a 72-all tie.
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TIP-INS
Magic: Harris made his first five shots of the game and then missed his next seven. . Vucevic was the only starter who did not play the entire first quarter.
Bucks: O.J. Mayo returned from a four-game absence due to right hamstring injury and totaled four points in 10 minutes, but Jerryd Bayless sat out with a sore right ankle. . Milwaukee has won the last five home games against Orlando. . After Ilyasova blocked a dunk by Ben Gordon, he shot an airball on a 3-point attempt.
UP NEXT
Magic: Visit Boston on Friday.
Bucks: Visit Indiana on Thursday.
This article was written by Dave Boehler from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
