Magic dominant at times, beat Bucks in home finale, 107-98
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Ersan Ilyasova scored 22 points and Mario Hezonja added 19 to help the Orlando Magic defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-98 in their home finale Monday night.
The victory allowed the Magic to close out the regular season strong at home where they won five of their final six games, including two straight to finish the year 23-18 at the Amway Center. Orlando concludes its season at Charlotte on Wednesday.
The Magic, playing without three starters, were dominant at times with Ilyasova leading the way in place of injured Aaron Gordon.
Center Dewayne Dedmon also gave a big effort in place of injured Nikola Vucevic, scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds while at times outplaying Milwaukee center Greg Monroe.
Monroe led five Bucks players in double figures with 23 points.
Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton scored 17 points each to help the Bucks make a late run.
The Magic led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter. But as they have done throughout the season, they allowed Milwaukee to climb back in it and cut the deficit to as few as four points in the fourth quarter. At one point Orlando dominated the paint, but the Bucks made up ground in the final quarter to grab a 60-54 edge in scoring in the paint.
With Vucevic sitting out the game, it seemed almost a given the Bucks would be stronger inside with Monroe and power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way. But that wasn't the case.
The Magic, which led 58-44 at halftime, were led by Dedmon and Illyasova and Jason Smith also gave a strong effort off the bench. They challenged shots inside and combined for eight blocks in the first half.
Antetokounmpo had 11 points and nine rebounds.
Dedmon led the Magic with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots as he got the better of the matchup with Monroe in the opening half. Ilyasova had 12 points and two blocks and Smith added six points and three blocks.
TIP-INS
Bucks: Monroe scored 15 of his 21 points in the first quarter on 6-of-11 shooting in 9:38. He didn't score in the second quarter. ...The Bucks were outscored in the paint 42-24 in the first half.
Magic: Orlando was without three starters. Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon missed their second straight game with concussion symptoms. Vucevic sat out with a groin and right leg injury.
UP NEXT
Bucks: Host Indiana on Wednesday.
Magic: Play at Charlotte on Wednesday.