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Patterson's defense secures win for Bucks

Nov 23, 2006 - 4:05 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Ruben Patterson locked up Kyle Korver and secured a badly needed win for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Patterson forced a pair of turnovers by Korver in the final minute as the Bucks rallied for a 98-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in a matchup of slumping teams.

Michael Redd scored 32 points for Milwaukee, which had lost seven of its last eight games but took advantage of a Philadelphia squad that was missing stars Allen Iverson and Chris Webber.

"It was a game we desperately needed, coming off two tough losses against Indiana," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said. "I just felt like the guys did what they needed to do."

"It feels good to get the win," Patterson said. "We got tired of losing. It was a total team effort."

The Bucks took their first lead at 95-93 on two free throws by Redd with 1:14 to play. On the next possession, Korver - one of the best shooters in the NBA - lost the ball out of bounds as he tried to dribble past Patterson, a determined defender.

"Ruben Patterson made big plays for us," Stotts said.

Leading the league in free-throw shooting, Korver had a chance to tie the game with 39 seconds remaining but split two foul shots. Charlie Bell did the same at the other end, leaving Milwaukee with a 96-94 edge.

"I missed a couple of free throws down the stretch," Korver said. "We just need to make the ones we get."

Andre Iguodala, who had his second career triple-double, missed a difficult driving layup before Redd split a pair from the line with 5.9 seconds to go, giving the Sixers one more chance.

Philadelphia went to Korver, but Patterson tied him up, wrestled the ball away and drew a foul. His free throw sealed the win.

"He just had the ball really low," Patterson said. "I just reached down there and got the steal."

"We didn't want Kyle Korver to get a good look at a three," Stotts said.

Patterson scored 18 points and Andrew Bogut added 14 and nine rebounds for the Bucks, who overcame a 12-point first-half deficit. Milwaukee shot 45 percent (32-of-71) from the floor.

Willie Green scored 24 points, Korver added 19 and Iguodala 18 with 16 rebounds and 10 assists for the Sixers, who have lost seven of their last eight games. Philadelphia shot 44 percent (34-of-78).

"I can't ask for more (as far as) what I want from myself, but it doesn't feel right without the win," Iguodala said.

"We had a lot of good performances and in the long run, I think we're going to win more games because of it," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said.

Philadelphia took a 79-72 lead into the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee rookie David Noel made a 3-pointer to start a 7-0 burst that created the first of four ties in the final period.

A 3-pointer by Green gave the Sixers a 91-87 lead with 3:37 remaining, but that was their last basket.