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Stars ensure Bucks return to NBA Cup semi-finals

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 points as Milwaukee beat Orlando in the NBA Cup quarter-finals. (AP PHOTO)

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 points as Milwaukee beat Orlando in the NBA Cup quarter-finals. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have combined to lead the Milwaukee Bucks back to the NBA Cup semi-finals with a 114-109 win over the Orlando Magic.

Antetokounmpo dropped 37 points while Lillard had nine of his 28 points in the final minute of Tuesday night's home quarter-final.

Milwaukee reached the semi-finals of the in-season tournament last December and will be the only returning team in Year 2 when they play in Las Vegas on Saturday against the winner of Wednesday's quarter-final between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks.

Lillard tied the game against the Magic at 106-106 with a step-back 3-pointer with 52.2 seconds to go.

Jalen Suggs led a short-handed Orlando team with 32 points but missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. Lillard was fouled and sank two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining and Suggs missed a potential tying 3.

Antetokounmpo then made both free throws with five seconds left and the Bucks held on.

Antetokounmpo extended his streak to 22 straight games with 20 or more points on 50 per cent shooting, the longest streak to open a season in league history and the third-longest at any point in a season (Shaquille O'Neal and Zion Williamson, both 25 games). He was 15 of 24 from the field.

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