Sports

Franz Wagner falls one rebound shy of a triple-double as the Magic hand the Bucks their worst start in 52 years

Wagner had 35 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds for Orlando's first home win. Milwaukee has lost nine straight and sits at 1-12.

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Magic forward Franz Wagner in a blue Orlando No. 22 jersey securing a rebound in front of Bucks center Myles Turner

Franz Wagner came within one rebound of his first career triple-double.

The Orlando Magic star scored 35 points with 12 assists and nine rebounds as the Magic beat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-99 on Friday night in an NBA Cup game.

It was Orlando's first home win of the season.

Wagner keeps rolling

Wagner made 13 of his 22 shots and all six of his free throws. He has now scored at least 30 points in four straight games.

He has been carrying a heavier load with Paolo Banchero still out with a hamstring injury.

With six minutes left, his turnaround hook pushed him past 30 for the night. Then with the Bucks within eight in the final minute, Wagner stole the ball and scored on the other end to make it 104-94.

Desmond Bane added 21 points and hit six 3-pointers. Goga Bitadze scored a season-high 12 on 5-of-5 shooting, with half of his points coming on alley-oop dunks off passes from Wagner.

Tristan da Silva also scored 12 in his return from a calf injury that cost him two games.

Rock bottom in Milwaukee

The Bucks have now lost nine straight games. That matches their longest skid since a nine-game slide in January 2014.

At 1-12, Milwaukee is off to its worst start in 52 years. The last time it was this bad was 1974-75, when the Bucks lost 13 of their first 14 games without an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Tyler Herro scored 18 points but shot 5 of 17. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led Milwaukee with 22 points off the bench.

What's next

Orlando is 2-0 in NBA Cup group play. Milwaukee is 0-2 in a group that also includes Brooklyn, Detroit and Toronto.

The Magic play at Boston on Monday. The Bucks host Atlanta on Sunday night.

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