MILWAUKEE – Orlando’s Jason Richardson hit nine three-pointers on Saturday night including eight in the second half and four during a 16-0 run that countered a 13-0 by the Milwaukee Bucks and put the Magic ahead for good in a 99-94 victory. Orlando trailed after each of the first three quarters, but managed to take a 78-75 lead early in the fourth before Milwaukee answered with a 13-0 run.
Richardson’s three from the top of the arc with 3:24 to play gave the Magic an 89-88 lead and put them ahead for good. Forward Hedo Turkoglu hit a running lay-up on the next possession for Orlando and Richardson connected on a contested three on Orlando’s next possession to cap the 16-0 run. The Bucks twice cut Orlando’s lead to three, but Milwaukee was unable to score in the game’s final 57 seconds despite the Magic going just 2-for-6 from the foul line.
The win runs Orlando’s record to 17-11 on the year; the Magic have won 5 of 7 with the two losses during that stretch coming in overtime. Richardson scored 31 points total on 11-for-18 shooting. After a recent slump, Turkoglu had a solid night for Orlando finishing with 19 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Dwight Howard scored just 11, but ripped down 14 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double. J.J. Redick came off the Magic bench to score 14 points. Milwaukee (12-15) was led by former Magic forward Drew Gooden, who finished with 21 points while Brandon Jennings, the Bucks’ leading scorer, was held to just 7 points on a woeful 3-for-14 shooting. Orlando will return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday while Milwaukee hosts the Miami Heat, who are 0-2 against the Bucks this season.
