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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Forget the usual platitudes about the opponent
playing well. Ray Allen tells it like it is.
"It's not that Washington played hard tonight," Allen said
after the Milwaukee Bucks edged the injury-depleted Wizards 99-95
Tuesday night. "We won the game because we're the better team."
But it very nearly turned into another debacle for the
inconsistent Bucks.
Milwaukee, coming off a disheartening loss at Vancouver on
Sunday, took a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter before holding
off the pesky Wizards, who got within a point three times.
"We could have been in here with a loss," Allen said.
Sam Cassell scored 23 points and Glenn Robinson added 19 as the
Bucks snapped their two-game losing streak and won at the Bradley
Center for the seventh straight time.
The Wizards lost their fourth in a row despite 25 points and 10
rebounds from Juwan Howard, whose two free throws made it 97-95
with 12.7 seconds left.
Allen, who, along with Lindsey Hunter, added 17 for Milwaukee,
sank two foul shots with 8.2 seconds left, and Washington's Richard
Hamilton missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
"We stepped it up on the defensive end and came back," said
Chris Whitney, who had 19 points and 10 assists for the Wizards.
"We never folded, but they are a good team that made shots when
they had to."
Especially Robinson, who swished two baskets and two free throws
late in the fourth quarter to help hold off Washington's upset bid.
"Robinson hit some big shots," Wizards coach Leonard Hamilton
said. "They have several players who can hit big shots. They are a
good offensive team. We didn't get a chance to take any possessions
away down the stretch."
The Wizards can only wish they had as many options.
With three starters out with injuries (Jahidi White, Rod
Strickland and Mitch Richmond), Howard has picked up the scoring
load for Washington, averaging 23.2 points in his last seven
games.
"I'm happy that we're winning," Bucks coach George Karl said.
"But I think we're fortunate as much as we're playing well. We're
fortunate we're playing teams that maybe don't have the firepower
to beat us.
"We're inconsistent. One night we don't pass it. The next night
we don't defend. The next night we don't run back. The next night
we don't shoot," Karl said. "We're just not playing with a lot of
demand to be special. But maybe I'm just overreacting."
Game notes
Howard got whistled for a technical just 34 seconds into
the game. ... Bucks coach George Karl said it was a shame that
Robinson didn't even rank in the top 10 Eastern Conference forwards
in voting for the All-Star Game. Karl said Robinson is having his
best all-around season, especially passing the ball, and that
there's no small forward in the league who's playing better. ...
Strickland hasn't played in nearly two weeks because of an injured
shoulder and a clash with management over his work habits. ...
Milwaukee forward Darvin Ham had the cast removed from his left
foot, which he broke on Nov. 10. He needs 5-to-6 weeks of rehab.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Milwaukee Clubhouse
RECAPS
Charlotte 102
Chicago 95
Houston 110
Toronto 91
Seattle 95
Atlanta 86
Philadelphia 104
New Jersey 87
Milwaukee 99
Washington 95
San Antonio 112
Orlando 95
Utah 103
Indiana 99
Denver 112
Vancouver 105
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
George Karl Official Site
Juwan Howard Official Site
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