• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Redd's big night helps Bucks edge Timberwolves

Dec 16, 2007 - 5:35 AM By J.R. Radcliffe PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Sharpshooter Michael Redd got back on track.

Redd scored 32 points and dished nine assists as the Milwaukee Bucks posted a 95-92 victory over the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.

Rookie Yi Jianlian scored a season-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Mo Williams had 19 and six assists for Milwaukee, which has beaten Minnesota four straight times for the first time in franchise history.

The Timberwolves, who have a league-worst 3-19 record, have dropped four straight and nine of 10.

"No matter if the T-Wolves have the worst record in the league, they're still a good team and you have to respect them," Redd said. "Give them credit for hanging around."

Redd redeemed himself after an awful performance the night before against the Boston Celtics, scoring a season-low seven points while going 0-of-3 from 3-point range.

However, against the Timberwolves, Redd came out smoking after halftime. With Milwaukee trailing, 42-40, Redd pumped in 15 points in the third quarter, including 3-of-3 from the arc, helping the Bucks to a 66-58 advantage.

In the fourth, Redd drilled a 3-pointer to put the Bucks up, 77-66, with 5:22 remaining before Minnesota went on a 16-7 spurt, capped by a free throw by Al Jefferson, to cut the Wolves' deficit to 84-82 with 1:40 left.

But Yi was also huge down the stretch, scoring 14 of his total in the final period.

"I had a few important baskets at the end there and hustled back on fast breaks," Jianlian said through an interpreter. "I'm just continuing to work hard for the team."

"The man from China will have his highs and lows but he keeps improving in practice and, tonight, he stayed aggressive," Redd said. "It was great to see."

Redd came through again when he hit Williams with a pass that the point guard drilled for a 3-pointer, pushing the lead to 89-84 with 30 ticks on the clock. Redd ended his night by nailing two foul shots with nine seconds left to help secure the victory.

Milwaukee shot 43 percent (33-of-77).

Craig Smith, who notched a career-high 36 points on Tuesday, had 30 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.

"My teammates were just looking for me, and I felt I had to be aggressive," Smith said. "Some games, I've found myself in foul trouble, and in those, it's been tough to get in a rhythm. But tonight, I had extra energy and tried to boost my guys."

Jefferson added 23 points and 15 rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost all 16 games in which it has failed to reach 100 points.

"Our offensive efficiency wasn't real good," Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman said. "We missed some easy opportunities, but that's not where the game was won or lost. We fought hard, and I'm proud of them after a tough loss at home last night. We just didn't have some shots go down early in the third."

Rashad McCants, who made four 3-pointers in the last 4 1/2 minutes of the game, scored 12 points off the bench for the Timberwolves, who shot 46 percent (38-of-82) and are also 0-13 when trailing after three quarters.