|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME FLOW
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- It wasn't so many years ago when Glenn
Robinson and the Milwaukee Bucks were routinely on the other side
of blowouts like this one.
Robinson and Ray Allen scored 26 points apiece as the Bucks
moved closer to their first division title in 15 years with a
108-78 victory Wednesday night over the Golden State Warriors.
The injury-riddled Warriors, who dressed the NBA-minimum eight
players, were no match for the Central Division-leading Bucks.
Milwaukee's 12-1 run to end the first half was one of several
lengthy rallies.
"I know what they're going through over there, because we went
through that for a lot of years," said Robinson, the first overall
choice in the 1994 draft. "It's a tough situation, and it's doesn't
end overnight. We went through a lot of bad nights to get to where
we are."
The Bucks finished below .500 in Robinson's first four seasons,
and Robinson took much of the blame. Now he's just one part of a
cohesive team that's in the closing stages of a remarkable
breakthrough season.
"We're feeling good about ourselves," Robinson said. "After
having a great start, we wanted to win the third quarter, and we
did. We didn't let down."
Sam Cassell had 17 points and nine assists for the Bucks, who
laughed and joked among themselves throughout the second half. The
Bucks led by 39 points before coasting to the finish.
Milwaukee can clinch its first division title since 1986 with
victories over the Clippers and the SuperSonics in the final two games
of a highly successful West Coast road trip.
"It would be a nice touch to clinch it on the road," Milwaukee
coach George Karl said. "As soon as we get the division, we then
can prepare a little better for our playoff opponent ... and
although I'm not a big guy on resting people, if there was a
situation where we had to do that, we could."
Antawn Jamison had 17 points and eight rebounds for the
Warriors, but he was the only member of Golden State's normal
starting lineup who wasn't out with an injury. The Warriors suffered their fifth consecutive defeat -- their 16th in 17 games, and their 24th
in 26 games since the All-Star break.
Jamison, the NBA's ninth-leading scorer, has grown increasingly
depressed in recent weeks.
"I can't do this for four or five more years. I'll go crazy,"
Jamison said. "I'm a winner. I'm always going to be a winner for
the rest of my life. I care about this game, but right now, I'm
just ready to be in North Carolina relaxing with my daughter."
The Bucks expended a great deal of energy in beating Sacramento
107-101 on Tuesday night, and welcomed the break provided by the
depleted Warriors. Milwaukee, 3-1 on its six-game trip, led by 19
at halftime and by 27 after three quarters before Karl emptied his
bench.
The Bucks' Big Three of Robinson, Allen and Cassell shot 58
percent from the field, while Robinson also grabbed 13 rebounds.
Reserve Lindsey Hunter had 11 points, and Scott Williams added 10.
"I think everybody is starting to fall into their grooves,"
said Allen, who scored his 26 points in 27 minutes. "We have great
starts, and we're not letting teams jump into games early on us."
Mookie Blaylock didn't dress for the Warriors due to a sprained
hand. The Warriors already have lost Larry Hughes, Chris Mills and
Danny Fortson for the season, while Bob Sura, Marc Jackson and
Chris Mullin haven't played in weeks.
Vonteego Cummings, who started in Blaylock's place, got 16
points on 7-for-21 shooting and eight rebounds before fouling out.
Adonal Foyle, whose improved play has been a rare bright spot for
the Warriors in recent weeks, shot 2-for-14 as Golden State made 20
turnovers.
Bucks forward Jason Caffey, traded from Golden State to
Milwaukee in the offseason, didn't dress for the game due to a
strained knee.
Game notes
Just how loose were the Bucks? During halftime, Allen and
Robinson sat in courtside seats to chat with two heckling Warriors
fans. ... Attendance was just 11,600. Despite their struggles on
the court, the Warriors have generally drawn at least 75 percent of
capacity each night at Oakland Arena. ... Golden State got its 34th
double-digit loss of the season. ... Cummings played a career-high
46 minutes because the Warriors have no other point guards on their
roster.
 Send this story to a friend
|
|
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Golden State Clubhouse
RECAPS
Miami 86
Washington 84
Phoenix 103
Charlotte 94
Toronto 97
Cleveland 94
Philadelphia 90
Detroit 84
Orlando 108
Boston 101
Minnesota 83
Portland 79
Vancouver 86
LA Clippers 78
Milwaukee 108
Golden State 78
|
