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Redd helps Bucks rout Bobcats

Jan 3, 2009 - 4:57 AM By Dave Cotey PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Michael Redd and the Milwaukee Bucks started 2009 out on the right foot.

Redd scored a season-high 31 points as the Bucks beat the Charlotte Bobcats, 103-75, Friday.

Charlie Villanueva added 27 points off the bench as the Bucks won for the fifth time in seven games overall and sixth time in seven tries at home.

"It was a great job of my teammates getting me open and finding me," Redd said. "I was in a rhythm."

Boris Diaw had 16 points and six assists for the Bobcats, who are 2-6 in their last eight road contests.

Redd got his night off to a fast start with an 18-point first quarter. He made six of his first seven shots, including two 3-pointers, and all four of his free throws.

The ninth-year pro received an extended breather in the second quarter but still managed 10 points as the Bucks built a 56-44 first-half lead.

"He got the hot hand," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. "He's a good shooter, we all know that. We've asked a lot of Michael this year, and he's done it."

The All-Star guard, owner of two career 50-point efforts, including a franchise record 57, slowed down in the third with just three points and did not play in the fourth with the game in hand. The Bucks led by as many as 12 points for the entire second half.

"I haven't had one of those (50-point games) in a few years but we didn't need it," Redd said. "It was a great effort. Charlie V had a great night."

Redd finished 10-of-16 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. His previous season high was 30 on October 28 at Chicago.

"Michael was terrific in the first half," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "They ran good stuff for Michael. They got the ball to the open man and played like a good team is supposed to play."

Villanueva, the Bucks' sixth man, outscored Charlotte's reserves by three points.

"I had been struggling," Villanueva said. "I didn't finish the '08 year like I wanted to, but it's a new year and I knew it was just a matter of time before I'd get out of that funk."

The Bucks blew open the game with a 16-2 run that spanned the end of the second quarter and beginning of the third, stretching a 47-44 advantage to a 63-46 lead.

Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor scored 11 points each for the Bobcats, who were trying to win their third straight road game after losing nine of their first 10 away from home. Okafor added 12 rebounds.

"We just looked totally out of sync in the second half," Wallace said. "Guys were throwing the ball all over the place. We just had too many unforced turnovers with no pressure or anything."