Bucks beat Mavs to stay unbeaten at home

(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-25 14:17

MILWAUKE - Michael Redd scored 27 points and made five late free throws to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Dallas Mavericks, 97-95 on Saturday night.


Milwaukee Bucks forward Yi Jianlian (R) from China stops Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (L) from Germany from scoring a lay-up in the second quarter of NBA basketball action in Milwaukee, Wisconsin November 24, 2007. [Agencies] 

Andrew Bogut had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Mo Williams added 19 points as the Bucks won their fifth straight overall and improved to 6-0 at home.The win also snapped a three-game losing streak to Dallas.

Josh Howard had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas who lost their second consecutive game. Dirk Nowitzki added 20 points and Jason Terry, who had one point in the first half, finished with 21. His 17 points in the final 4:14 almost rescued the Mavericks, but Redd's free throws preserved the victory.

The lead changed five times in the last three minutes before the Bucks went ahead with 1:26 to play.

Williams made two free throws after being fouled by Terry. Redd hit one after being fouled by Devin Harris. Bogut put back a rebound and Yi Jianlian made a free throw to put Milwaukee ahead 92-87.

After Terry hit a 3-pointer, Nowitzki fouled Redd who made a free throw. After another basket by Terry, Redd made four free throws for Milwaukee's final points.

Terry hit a three at the buzzer for the final score.

The game featured a rematch of sorts for Yi and Nowitzki. The two 7-footers faced each other while playing for their respective countries in an invitational two-game series on August 18- 19 in Mannheim, Germany. Nowitzki helped Germany, which was preparing for the 2007 European Championship, sweep Yi's Chinese team before it headed to a tournament in Turkey.

The game became a lot more physical after Dallas had to take two quick timeouts late in the first quarter.

First, Bogut knocked Nowitzki to the floor as the Dallas forward drove to the hoop. Nowitzki held his head for a moment before getting up under his own power. On Dallas' next possession, Bobby Simmons collided with Howard, who landed awkwardly and got up limping.

Williams' 3-pointer with 6:37 to play gave the Bucks their biggest lead at 75-70, but Nowitzki answered with a 3.

Dallas regained the lead on their next possession when Terry hit a 3-pointer and Bass added four points. Howard's 3-pointer made it 66-62 at the end of three.

Trailing 47-44 at the start of the third, the Bucks stayed close and finally went ahead 59-56 on Redd's three-point play and turnaround jumper from in close with 3:31 left in the quarter.

Nowitzki connected from behind the arc with 7:50 left in the third for the first 3-pointer in the game.



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