RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
 GAME FLOW
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Ray Allen couldn't quite do enough to stop the
Milwaukee Bucks' losing slide.
|  | | Minnesota's LaPhonso Ellis, right, fouls Milwaukee's Tim Thomas during Saturday's game. |
Allen tied his career high with 40 points on 15-of-21 shooting,
but all five Minnesota starters scored in double figures as the
Timberwolves beat the Bucks 103-92 Saturday night.
Minnesota ended its own three-game losing streak, while
extending Milwaukee's skid to three games.
"It's very disappointing," Bucks coach George Karl said. "We
played some good basketball. But to get outhustled and outworked
and outenergized when you're struggling _ I don't get it."
Karl, whose team's record dropped to 1-5, was upset with his
players' effort.
"I'd start with the word 'pride.' That's what I told the
team," he said. "We did not play like a team that was 1-4. We
played like we were 4-1."
The Timberwolves (3-4) had been struggling without Joe Smith,
whose contract was voided, and played Saturday without starting
point guard Terrell Brandon, who had a sprained left ankle.
Chauncey Billups filled in for Brandon and scored a season-high
31 points. Kevin Garnett added 22, Wally Szczerbiak and Anthony
Peeler 15 apiece, and Rasho Nesterovic 10.
"For these guys, for what they've been through, this is a big,
big win," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said.
After Allen made his second straight 3-pointer to give the Bucks
an 83-82 lead, Garnett hit two straight baskets, putting Minnesota
on top 86-83 with 4:16 remaining. Billups' 3-pointer with 2:46 left
made it 92-85 and put the game out of Milwaukee's reach.
"It's not time to panic, but we're getting desperate for a
win," said Milwaukee guard Sam Cassell, who had nine points and
nine assists. "I think the guys understand the situation. We just
have to come out and win some games."
Billups' 3-pointer with 36.4 seconds remaining in the third
quarter gave Minnesota a 74-71 lead going into the final period.
That shot came after the Bucks had scored eight straight points to
tie the game.
In the second quarter, Allen scored nine straight points to give
the Bucks a 40-33 lead with 4:59 left, and Milwaukee led 50-47 at
halftime.
Sczcerbiak made a 3-pointer with 24.1 seconds left and a pair of
free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Wolves a 22-20
led after one quarter.
Game
notes
The Bucks placed forward Darvin Ham on the injured list and
activated forward Mark Pope, who had been out with lower back
spasms. Pope started the game. ... Milwaukee reserve Scott Williams
was sidelined with back spasms. ... The last time Minnesota lost
four straight games was Feb. 9-16 last season.
|
|
NBA Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
Milwaukee Clubhouse
RECAPS
New Jersey 126
Seattle 91
Indiana 94
Detroit 84
Cleveland 86
Washington 73
New York 81
Charlotte 67
Philadelphia 85
Boston 83
Toronto 98
Chicago 75
Minnesota 103
Milwaukee 92
San Antonio 91
Vancouver 78
Phoenix 84
Miami 82
Portland 111
Houston 88
|
