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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MILWAUKEE (AP) – On the verge of clinching the Central Division,
the Milwaukee Bucks are suddenly shorthanded.
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| Robinson |
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| Thomas |
The Bucks routed Chicago 105-84 Tuesday night behind Scott
Williams' career-high 24 points, but by game's end, they were
without leading scorer Glenn Robinson (eye abrasion) and top
reserve Tim Thomas (dislocated shoulder).
"I'll be back Thursday (against Utah)," Robinson said. "Can't
miss the clincher."
Thomas didn't seem as certain of his status.
"I don't have any comment," a dejected Thomas said in the locker room, where he couldn't lift his right arm, needed help putting on his jewelry and was fitted with a sling.
Thomas will be examined again Wednesday and could miss several games.
The Bucks need just one more victory or a loss by Toronto to
clinch their first Central Division title since 1985-86. They're
also trying to fend off Miami and New York to secure homecourt
advantage through the second round of the playoffs.
But they're banged up -- especially Thomas.
"It's one of those injuries that has some nerve problems to
it," coach George Karl said.
Robinson, Milwaukee's leading scorer, missed the game after
being poked in his right eye by rookie Jason Hart during the team's shootaround. He's day-to-day.
Robinson, averaging 22.3 points, was replaced in the starting
lineup by Thomas, who came out with 6:29 left in the third quarter
holding his right shoulder, which had popped out of its socket.
The Bucks jumped out to a 15-2 lead and were never threatened by the Bulls, who have lost nine consecutive games, 16 of 17 overall and 25 straight on the road.
Milwaukee never trailed and led by as many as 26 in the second
half in finishing 4-0 against Chicago for the first time.
Karl said the plan was to put away the Bulls early, unlike their
last trip to Milwaukee when the Bucks escaped 126-122 in double
overtime.
"They scared the hell out of us the last time they played us,"
Karl said. "We didn't want to get into that pressure game where
you have to make shots at the end of the game. Scottie did a great
job of getting us started and Jason Caffey (14 points) came in and had a big game off the bench."
Darvin Ham swished a 3-pointer from 72 feet as the first-half
buzzer sounded, giving Milwaukee a 64-45 lead.
"It shows everything is going their way, a shot like that," Ron Artest said. "But they made shots the whole night."
Ham joked that's the only way he can take a 3-pointer.
"They won't run a 3-point play for me so I got to wait until
the end of the half, end of quarters and show my stuff then," he
said. "I guess y'all need to go into that office and talk to Coach
Karl because I have the highest percentage on the team now, 2-for-3. I think somebody's got to wake up to that. Somebody please tell them."
Williams left the game shortly after breaking his previous
career best of 22 points on a jumper that made it 99-73 with 4½
minutes left. He surpassed his season-high of 13 points by
halftime, when he had 14.
"I thought I did a good job establishing an early intensity for the ballclub," Williams said. "Because Karl talked about getting this team down and have them thinking about their postseason plans rather than think about the second half of the basketball game.
"Quick start, get them down early, take some of their confidence away, some of their fight," said Williams, who finished 12-of-18 from the floor and added 14 rebounds and five assists.
Elton Brand had 16 points for Chicago.
Game notes
Karl is pushing Thomas for the NBA's Sixth Man award: "The last two months he's played great basketball, better than any other sixth man in the league." ... The Bucks are 10-2 against the Bulls
since Michael Jordan's retirement. ... Milwaukee owns the best home
record (29-10) in the Eastern Conference. ... Just before Ham's
halftime shot, Hunter fell into a courtside table after a
remarkable steal from Fred Hoiberg, who was breaking to the basket with two seconds left in the half.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Chicago Clubhouse
Milwaukee Clubhouse
RECAPS
Cleveland 101
Orlando 78
Miami 83
Philadelphia 81
Milwaukee 105
Chicago 84
Denver 100
Houston 99
San Antonio 91
Dallas 79
Portland 116
Golden State 88
Minnesota 104
Vancouver 91
LA Lakers 106
Phoenix 80
Sacramento 116
LA Clippers 109
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