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Bucks, Bobcats collide in Charlotte

Mar 23, 2012 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks hope to shake off their first loss in nearly two weeks when they continue a tough three games in three nights stretch by visiting the NBA-worst Charlotte Bobcats.

The Bucks' postseason hopes took a hit on Thursday when Boston invaded Brew City and came away with a 100-91 win, snapping Milwaukee's season-high six- game winning streak.

Brandon Jennings led the Bucks with 19 points and Carlos Delfino chipped in 16. Monta Ellis, making his home debut for the Bucks, scored 13 points and dished out seven assists, but Milwaukee lost for the first time since March 9 and fell 1 1/2 games behind New York for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"They're just a different caliber of opponent," said Bucks head coach Scott Skiles about the Celtics. "They execute, they set screens, they know what they're doing and they're very experienced. We were just way too sloppy on both ends."

Milwaukee will finish its back-to-back-to-back set with a home game against Indiana on Saturday.

Charlotte is well-rested and hasn't played since a 105-80 loss to Philadelphia on Monday. Gerald Henderson led the Bobcats with 14 points, while Kemba Walker and Reggie Williams both finished with 13 points in that one.

Williams was starting for Bobcats' leading scorer Corey Maggette, who sat out the tilt with a back injury.

"There were a lot of 50-50 balls that I think they got," said Williams after the loss. "I think if we would have gotten those, it would have given us more possessions, and it could have been a different game too."

On Wednesday Charlotte made some news off the floor, buying out veteran big man Boris Diaw. Acquired in a trade with the Suns in 2008, Diaw averaged 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 37 games for the Bobcats this year.

Maggette is listed as questionable for tonight's contest as Charlotte shoots for its sixth straight home win over the Bucks.