Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 factors, and Damian Lillard added 9 of his 28 within the closing minute, main the Milwaukee Bucks to a 114-109 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday evening, securing a spot within the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas.
The Bucks, the one crew coming back from final 12 months’s semifinals, will face the winner of Wednesday’s quarterfinal between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Jalen Suggs led a shorthanded Orlando squad with 32 factors however missed a possible go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. Lillard was fouled and sank two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining, whereas Suggs missed one other 3-pointer to tie the sport.
Antetokounmpo then made each free throws with 5 seconds left, and the Bucks held on.
The Magic have been lacking forwards Paolo Banchero (torn proper indirect), Jonathan Isaac (proper hamstring pressure), and Franz Wagner, who suffered a torn proper indirect on Friday in opposition to Philadelphia, together with guard Gary Harris (left hamstring pressure).
Magic: Orlando’s bench scored 28 factors within the first half, together with 13 from Moritz Wagner and 10 from Anthony Black. However, Wagner didn’t rating within the second half.
Bucks: Bobby Portis helped the Bucks erase an early 11-point deficit by hitting his first seven photographs and scoring 16 factors within the first half. He completed with 22 factors and 10 rebounds.
Bucks ahead Khris Middleton registered three consecutive assists – the primary two on passes to Antetokounmpo and the third to arrange a 3-pointer by Gary Trent Jr. – because the Bucks took a 78-70 lead as a part of an 11-0 Milwaukee run. Middleton didn’t rating however had eight assists.
Antetokounmpo prolonged his streak to 22 straight video games with 20 or extra factors on 50% capturing, the longest streak to open a season in league historical past and the third-longest at any level in a season (Shaquille O’Neal and Zion Williamson, each 25 video games). Antetokounmpo was 15 of 24 from the sphere.
The Magic will play New York or Atlanta on Sunday.
Source: www.dailysabah.com