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Redd's near triple-double helps Bucks defeat Magic

Dec 13, 2007 - 5:06 AM By Nick Berenz PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Michael Redd and the Milwaukee Bucks got back to their winning ways at the Bradley Center.

Redd scored 27 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out nine assists as the Bucks posted a 100-86 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Rookie Yi Jianlian scored 18 points and Mo Williams had 17 and seven assists for Milwaukee, which snapped a four-game losing streak. The Bucks also ended a two-game slide here after beginning 2007-08 with six straight victories at home.

"We played like we were glad to be home," Redd said. "At the end of the day, I'll take the win over the triple-double any day."

The Magic have lost three straight games for the first time this season and four of their last six after losing just three of their first 17.

"If our intensity and defensive mentality doesn't improve, then we're going to have to make a change," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Some of these guys have gotten very comfortable in the starting lineup."

Milwaukee, which led by 12 after one quarter, 13 at halftime and 14 entering the final period, nearly blew its double-digit advantage.

In the fourth quarter, the Magic opened with four straight 3-pointers, including three from Rashard Lewis, to cut their deficit to two at 75-73. The Bucks went cold from the field and didn't score until Andrew Bogut slammed home an assist by Williams with 7:53 remaining in the game.

"They kept coming back, but we kept our composure and made the plays to win the game," Williams said. "This was a big win against a quality team."

Redd, who shot 9-of-17 from the floor and earned his first double-double since November 24, 2004, made a 3-pointer with 5:26 left to give Milwaukee an 84-75 lead.

"I wasn't even worried about scoring tonight because I knew that would come," Redd said. "I was worried about making guys better. I was just tired of losing."

The All-Star made a jumper to give the Bucks a 91-83 advantage with 3:17 remaining and his two free throws with 55 ticks on the clock pushed the lead to 97-83.

"We gave them a lot of easy shots," said Magic guard Jameer Nelson, who finished with four points and seven assists. "It was a horrendous effort on the defensive end for us. "We didn't stick to our principles on defense."

Milwaukee had jumped out to an early lead thanks to a 17-6 run in the first quarter, stretching its advantage to 30-18. Yi spurred the burst with 10 first-quarter points.

"We've lost several games lately in the first quarter," Van Gundy said. "We're going to have to start winning some games by out-working people."

Redd added nine in the second period as Milwaukee led by as many as 16 before halftime.

Charlie Bell scored 13 points off the bench and Bogut had 11 and nine boards while defending Dwight Howard for most of the night for the Bucks, who shot 50 percent (35-of-70).

"(Dwight's) one of the strongest guys in the NBA, it was tough to keep him from getting position," Bogut said. "However, we showed some character. Hopefully, we can build on this going forward."

Howard had 20 points and 13 boards for his league-leading 19th double-double and Lewis added 20 points for Orlando, which shot a season-low 34 percent (26-of-77).