The Milwaukee Bucks' losing streak extended to nine straight after a near triple-double from Franz Wagner led the Orlando Magic to a 107-99 win on Friday.

Inconsistency continues to plague Milwaukee. The team fails to build on strong quarters, and against Orlando, that momentum came too late.

A 62-point second half erased a 15-point halftime deficit. It was a nine-point game with under a minute remaining in the fourth, but the Bucks' defense couldn't string together stops.

Close games don't work out in Milwaukee's favor. Coach Taylor Jenkins doesn't have a reliable late-game offense and lacks a true perimeter defender to guard the best scorers.

However, close games are at least a sign of improvement. Kyle Kuzma wants the team to value the small wins and build on them to become consistent.

The Bucks scored 62 points in a half for the second time this season. They reached that mark in the first half against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 23.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kuzma led the third-quarter surge, while Tyler Herro built on their momentum in the fourth. Jaquez scored eight of his 22 and Kuzma scored seven of his 14 coming out of halftime.

Both nailed 3-pointers coming off screens set by Myles Turner, and attacked poor closeouts to score in the paint. Milwaukee's offense thrives with consistent paint penetration, forcing the defense to collapse and generate quality looks for shooters.

Herro scored six of his 18 in the final period. He shot 1-for-3 from the field, knocking down a movement 3-pointer assisted by Jaquez.

The 6-foot-5 guard made three trips to the free-throw line and converted all his attempts.

Orlando's budding star took over in the second, scoring 12 of his 35 points on 3-for-7 shooting. Wagner made Milwaukee pay for sagging off him on the perimeter.

His ability to play off the ball and feed off his teammates' gravity was key to his third straight 30-point game. He also carved up the Bucks' defense coming off the pick-and-roll.

Wagner plays with pace and decelerates on drives, forcing defenders to misjudge their jump and give him an uncontested layup.

The 6-foot-10 forward exposed Milwaukee's lack of perimeter defense on the wing. Kuzma isn't agile enough to navigate screens, and Nate Ament is too inexperienced and skinny to contain Wagner.

These weaknesses are learning moments for the Bucks. Jenkins is a defensive-minded coach, and his smarts will help him find a solution sooner rather than later.