|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME FLOW
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lindsey Hunter is a pivotal player for the
Milwaukee Bucks, even though he's a reserve.
"Lindsey is one of the best 3-point shooters in this game,"
Milwaukee guard Sam Cassell said after the Bucks beat the
Washington Wizards 101-95 Monday for their fourth straight victory.
"We live and die with him taking that shot."
Hunter scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, all on
3-pointers, helping send the struggling Wizards to their seventh
consecutive loss.
The Wizards' frustration was evident early. Starting forward
Tyrone Nesby was sent off the floor four minutes in by coach
Leonard Hamilton for expressing his displeasure after being taken
out of the game.
After coming out of the game Nesby threw a towel down to the
floor in disgust, and was sent to the locker room by Hamilton. When
Nesby didn't leave immediately, Washington assistant John Bach
motioned for security behind the bench to escort him to the locker
room. Eventually, Nesby was walked off the floor by Wizards
assistant Larry Drew.
The team reported that Nesby had gone to the locker room to tape
an injured thumb, but no medical report was issued. Nesby did
return to the bench with his left thumb taped, but did not return
to the game.
"It was just a misunderstanding," Hamilton said. "He's still
on the team, and still in the lineup."
During halftime Nesby and Hamilton talked and, according to
Nesby, resolved the issue.
"We talked about it, it's cool now," Nesby said. "We squashed
it, it's all right now."
The Bucks led by 15 points after three quarters, thanks to the
scoring of Glenn Robinson and Ray Allen. Robinson led the Bucks
with 22 points and Allen had 20.
But the fourth quarter belonged to Hunter, who was 4-for-4 from
3-point range during a crucial five-minute stretch.
With the Bucks leading 78-70, Hunter hit a desperation 3-pointer
as the shot clock expired. He followed that with an uncontested
shot from the same spot. The final 3-pointer by Hunter, who made
six in the game, put the Bucks up 12 with 5:45 to play.
"They just hit shot after shot," Hamilton said. "We couldn't
match their consistency from the perimeter. Sometimes it's hard to
shoot that well if you are in the gym by yourself with someone
throwing the ball back to you."
Washington has recently made a habit of rallying in the fourth
quarter only to have the comebacks come up short. The Wizards, led
by Juwan Howard's 27 points, again rallied late, trimming the
deficit to 97-93 when Howard completed a three-point-play with 1:38
to play.
However, several missed 3-pointers by Chris Whitney -- who scored
17 points -- down the stretch, combined with two free throws by
Allen with 29.9 seconds left, put the game away.
"I don't think we wait unit we're down, but when a team is down
they get desperate," Whitney said. "I played terrible today, but
as far as myself getting going, it happens. I have confidence that
the next game, I'll make every shot."
Karl was not surprised by the rally.
"We blow leads in every game," he said. "Our focus was down,
they made a couple of shots and all of a sudden the 14-point lead
is down to five."
Washington's main source of offense came from the foul line. The
Wizards hit 31 of 33 free throws, but misfired on their first 12
3-pointers and shot only 39 percent from the floor.
Reserve Richard Hamilton had 22 points for Washington, which is
2-26 when trailing at halftime.
Nesby's outburst is the most recent episode in the Wizards'
season of turmoil.
Washington forward Michael Smith is facing a misdemeanor assault
charge after a New Year's Eve fight in a Washington night club, and
Rod Strickland was arrested on Jan. 8 for driving under the
influence of alcohol in Virginia.
Game notes
Strickland returned to practice for the first time in more
than three weeks Sunday, but did not dress for Monday's game.
Strickland has not played since the Wizards' 89-82 loss to the New
York Knicks Dec. 27. ... Milwaukee is 19-6 since losing to
Washington Nov. 25. ... Washington forward Obinna Ekezie did not
play because of a sprained left ankle.
|
|
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
New York 104
San Antonio 82
Milwaukee 101
Washington 95
Philadelphia 84
Charlotte 79
New Jersey 84
Atlanta 78
Sacramento 116
Dallas 105
Boston 107
Minnesota 102
Cleveland 107
Golden State 101
Indiana 89
LA Clippers 74
Orlando 113
Chicago 104
LA Lakers 113
Vancouver 112
Denver 122
Seattle 111
Utah 116
Houston 104
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
George Karl Official Site
Juwan Howard Official Site
|
