Arron Afflalo's career-high 36 points, including four free throws in the final 2:06, helped the Orlando Magic to snap a three-game losing streak with a 94-91 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite trailing by as many as 19 points in the first half, the Magic were able to rally against a team which had only eight healthy players available. Afflalo also finished with six assists, the last of which led to a dunk by Nikola Vucevic with 9.2 seconds remaining to seal the outcome.
Vucevic had 17 points and 11 rebounds in a game where coach Jacque Vaughn went almost exclusively with a three-guard lineup. To begin the fourth quarter, the Magic had a lineup consisting of Vucevic and four guards, all non-starters -- Victor Oladipo, E'Twaun Moore, Ronnie Price and Doron Lamb. Lamb had not played since the preseason, due in large part to a sprained right ankle.
The Magic were outscored 20-4 in fast-break points Monday night while giving up 120 points in a loss at Boston. Those problems carried over to the first quarter against the Bucks.
The Bucks were coming off a 118-95 drubbing Tuesday night at Miami. But they came out blazing, putting up 36 points in the opening period.
The Magic have not lost at home to the Bucks since Dec. 29, 2004, a streak encompassing 15 games.
Maurice Harkless stole an inbound pass from O.J. Mayo and drove for an uncontested dunk to end the first half. The Magic had trailed by double figures the entire second quarter, but after the basket cut their deficit to 54-45, they began the third quarter on a 9-3 run with the help of two 3-point field goals by Afflalo.
Afflalo tied a franchise record for 3-pointers in a quarter with five and ended up going 8 of 11 from that range. His previous career high of 32 points was set in March 2012 while a member of the Denver Nuggets against Sacramento.
The largest deficit overcome by the Magic in a victory this season had been only six points. That took place a week ago against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Saturday night vs. Dallas, 7 p.m. (FOX Sports Florida).
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
