- The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 114-109 in their Eastern Conference quarter-final NBA Cup game
- Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points, while Damian Lillard scored 28 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter
- Damian Lillard sank a crucial step-back three-pointer to tie the game at 106-106 with 52.2 seconds left and added a lay-up and four free throws to seal the win
- The Bucks will face the winner of the Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks matchup in the semifinals in Las Vegas
- The victory marks a significant turnaround for the Bucks, who started the season 2-8 but have now improved to a 13-11 record
Key Takeaways:
The Milwaukee Bucks claimed a hard-fought 114-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in their Eastern Conference quarter-final NBA Cup game, advancing to the semi-finals in Las Vegas. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 37 points, while Damian Lillard played a crucial role in the win, scoring 28 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Lillard’s step-back three-pointer with 52.2 seconds left tied the game at 106-106, and he followed it up with a lay-up and four free throws to seal the win.
Headed to Vegas! pic.twitter.com/uCLdLBjsvc
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 11, 2024
Despite missing key players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic put up a strong fight, with Jalen Suggs scoring 32 points, including 18 in the final period. However, his potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left fell short, and the Bucks emerged victorious. Bobby Portis was a key contributor off the bench for the Bucks, finishing with 22 points on 9 of 11 shooting.
The win marks a significant turnaround for the Bucks, who started the season 2-8 but have now improved to a 13-11 record. Coach Doc Rivers commended the team for setting a goal and working hard to reach it, emphasizing the importance of staying connected and fighting through adversity. The Bucks will now face the winner of the Atlanta Hawks – New York Knicks matchup, looking to redeem themselves after falling short in the inaugural NBA Cup tournament last season. As Damian Lillard noted, “We didn’t have the greatest experience there last year. So I think all of us are thinking about going back and finishing what we started last year and doing it right this time.”