Team basketball has been the winning formula for Jason Kidd’s Milwaukee Bucks all season long, and that was true once again Thursday night in Orlando. For the second game in a row the Bucks had seven players score in double-figures, and both times the result has finished in their favor.
Thanks to that team blueprint, J-Kidd’s ball club was able to celebrate a victory in Orlando for the first time in a decade; Jerryd Bayless continued his hot streak by scoring 19 points as the Bucks ended a 17-game losing streak at the Amway Center, beating the Magic 115-100.
“It was a great game, not just the first half,” Coach Kidd said. “From start to finish our guys executed the game plan. They shared the ball. We were close to having 30 assists (29), something we’ve been doing of late. And they ended the trip on the right note.”
Jared Dudley and Khris Middleton each scored 17, O.J. Mayo poured in 13 and Brandon Knight scored 16 while dishing out nine assists. Milwaukee shot 51.7 percent from the field, including a 12-of-25 display from beyond the arc (48%). Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 10 points, while John Henson rounded out the barrage of scoring with a double-double, 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The win wrapped up a three-game road trip. After losing in San Antonio, Milwaukee picked up two straight victories in Miami and Orlando.
Throughout the span away from home, the Bucks have made passing contagious, tallying 83 assists in the three games. In turn the team’s shooting percentages have been higher as well.
“I think our players take pride in moving the ball, making the next pass,” Jason said. “I think they really enjoy playing with one another. That is why you see the ball move. They take pride in being part of the play.”
After heading into the locker room at halftime with a 59-44 lead, the Bucks blew it wide open in the third thanks to a 14-point quarter from Knight, part of a 24-5 run. Kenyon Martin was able to log 22 minutes Thursday night. The veteran did a little bit of everything, tallying four points, three rebounds, two blocks and three steals. He also had two assists, one coming on a great bounce pass to Knight who was cutting along the baseline that ended up in a one-handed jam by the 6’3” guard.
The Bucks point guard was not chosen as one of the Eastern Conference reserves, but still might have a chance to be added in place of injured Miami guard Dwyane Wade.
“It’s tough to say you’re not thinking about it,” Knight said. “I’m just happy the process is over. But at the end of the day, the Bucks come first. The main thing tonight was getting a win, and that’s what we did. If I had happened to be named an all-star, that would be icing on the cake.”
Second-year guard Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 21 points, and center Nikola Vucevic added 17 points and 14 rebounds. But by midway through the final frame Bayless drained a 24-footer to make the score 104-75, as the inevitable seventh loss in a row came for the Orlando Magic (15-34) who have lost 13 of their last 15.
All 10 Bucks who checked in logged at least one assist on the night, paced by nine from Knight, six by Mayo and five by The Greek Freak. All five starters had a plus/minus of positive nine or better.
“We’ve talked about not just the assist but being part of the play, the hockey assist,” J-Kidd said. “I think guys are starting to take pride in that, moving the ball, feeling comfortable with the next pass, knowing the next person is going to do the right thing. I think it all comes down to trust.”
UP NEXT
The Bucks have been displaying their best basketball as of late, and they’re going to have to keep that form against their next couple opponents. Milwaukee will play host to the Portland Trailblazers (32-14) on Saturday night then travel to Toronto to face the Raptors (31-15) on Monday.
Portland is top 10 in all major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists and points allowed. Milwaukee will be hosting Portland on the tail end of a back-to-back, the Trailblazers are facing the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks Friday night at Phillips Arena.
Coach Kidd’s last duel with Portland on Dec. 17 ended in a 104-97 loss in Portland, in which star Blazers guard Damian Lillard scored 29.
Game time is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
