MILWAUKEE—The Milwaukee Bucks used a first quarter 19-0 run and late hot streaks from Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd to hold off the Bulls 96-93. The Bulls went stone cold early and saw Milwaukee wipe out a 12-10 Bulls lead and went ahead 29-12. It was 29-19 after the first quarter as the visitors scored the last 7 points of the period.The Bulls won the second quarter 22-18 to trail only 47-41 at half time. The Bulls caught up and tied the game 51-all on a Derrick Rose layup,and there were seven deadlocks in the period including 64-64 as Kirk Hinrich lost his dribble trying to play for the last shot,but he lost the ball to Luke Ridnour who nailed almost a half court shot at the horn. The Bulls went in front by a team high seven, 76-69 on a pair of Brad Miller foul shots,but then Bulls killer Redd and Bogut took over.The Bucks led 88-80 with 3:02 left,but the Bulls almost caught up. They trailed 93-91 after a long three pointer by Miller,then they got a steal by Rose who drove in,trying to tie the game,but Bogut stepped into him and got the call as Rose drew the offensive foul. John Salmons missed a potential game tying three pointer just before the buzzer as the game ended. Bogut finished with 27 and Redd 24,including 14 in the fourth quarter. Rose scored 25 and dished out 9 assists while Joakim Noah had 18 rebounds.
NOTES—Attendance was a less than sellout 18,717….The Bulls have lost 3 in a row while the Bucks have won three straight…..The Bulls missed ten of their 31 free throws…..5 technical fouls were called…..The Bulls drive home to host Minnesota Saturday night in the United Center.
LES