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MCW returns to Philly and leads Bucks over Sixers

Apr 14, 2015 - 5:31 AM Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Michael Carter-Williams is familiar with Wells Fargo Center after spending over a season calling the arena home and winning a Rookie of the Year award in the process.

He showcased that familiarity on Monday night in leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 107-97 win over his former team in his return to Philadelphia.

Carter-Williams scored 30 points through three quarters, and he flirted with his career high of 33 points set on Jan. 7 2014 against Cleveland as a member of the Sixers at Wells Fargo Center.

"I was just trying to be aggressive," Carter-Williams said. "I was able to hit some mid-range shots and my teammates put me in a good position."

The reigning Rookie of the Year was dealt to the playoff-bound Bucks at the trade deadline, however, in a bold move made by Philadelphia's front office.

"He came in and played a hell of a game. We wish him well for the playoffs. It was good to see him," Sixers coach Brett Brown said of Carter-Williams.

O.J. Mayo and Ersan Ilyasova each scored 13 points for Milwaukee, which trailed by as many as 14 in the first half.

Robert Covington paced Philadelphia with 25 points but committed 10 of the team's season-high 30 turnovers. Hollis Thompson added 19 points and Ish Smith tied a career high with nine assists for the Sixers, who have lost nine straight.

"(The Bucks) are a good defensive team. They are a long defensive team," Brown said.

The Sixers led 31-24 at the end of the first, then stretched their lead to 14 when Smith capped a 9-2 run with a jumper that made it 47-33.

Ilyasova spearheaded a late Milwaukee charge, scoring eight points in the final 2:32 and helping the Bucks cut their deficit to 58-52 at halftime.

Milwaukee went on a 10-3 run out of the locker room to gain its first lead of the night. Carter-Williams doubled his first-half scoring output in the third with a 15-point quarter to help the visitors to an 80-78 lead entering the fourth. He netted the final 11 points for the Bucks, closing the quarter with a three-point play after kissing the ball high off the glass on a driving floater.

Mayo made three baskets early in the fourth as the Milwaukee lead was extended to eight. Jerryd Bayless then converted a three-point play that pushed its advantage to 98-81 with over seven minutes left.

Game Notes

Sixers rookie forward Nerlens Noel was held out of the lineup due to a right ankle sprain ... Milwaukee scored 47 points off turnovers ... Carter-Williams also scored 30 points April 8 in a loss against Cleveland ... The Bucks swept the season series from the Sixers for the first time since 1973-74 ... Milwaukee will host Boston on Wednesday to close the regular season ... Philadelphia, which has already clinched the third-worst record in the NBA, closes its season with Miami on Wednesday.