MILWAUKEE, (Reuters) – The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a two-game losing streak with a 96-85 win over a depleted Orlando Magic, who suffered a first loss in nearly two weeks on Saturday.
Andrew Bogut, who returned to the lineup after missing five games with a sore back, had a season-high 31 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead the Bucks, who also received 27 points from Brandon Jennings.
“We were able to get him (Bogut) the ball early in the game, and you could tell right away he was engaged,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles told reporters.
“He was able to get some easy ones and also got a couple left-handed hooks he got in there. Overall for the amount of time he was out, he was very, very good.”
The Magic were playing without All-Star Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson for the second straight game because of a stomach virus that also sidelined J.J. Redick and Mickael Pietrus.
“Bogut was hitting tonight, and with them missing Dwight Howard we were able to get in there and take it to the rack more,” Jennings said.
Vince Carter scored 20 points and was the offensive leader for the Magic, who lost for the first time in seven games. The Magic’s Quentin Richardson added 16 points.
“We ran out of gas,” Carter said.
“We fought our butts off. They were well-prepared and are a good basketball team. Late in the game, our legs kind of left us. We were a little short on shots. We weren’t hitting shots. The one thing I’m very proud of is that this team fought hard.”
