• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Bell steps up big to help Bucks hold off Wolves

Dec 17, 2006 - 6:23 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Charlie Bell's gamble paid dividends.

Bell scored 16 points and made a key steal and basket in the closing moments as the Milwaukee Bucks posted their fourth straight home win with a 108-104 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Mo Williams and Michael Redd netted 28 points apiece for the Bucks, who won their third consecutive meeting with the Timberwolves at the Bradley Center. Williams added nine assists and Redd made four 3-pointers.

With less than 40 seconds left and the Wolves threatening to take the lead, Bell intercepted Kevin Garnett's pass and converted a layup for a three-point play, making it 106-102 with 33 ticks to go.

"I had two guys, a guy down in the paint and another guy out there on the wing," Bell said. "And I kind of faked to the guy in the paint to kind of bait him (Garnett) to throw it to the guy on the wing. And I just got a good jump on it (the pass) and when I got it I was off to the races."

"Last night (Friday against Chicago) he had six steals," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said of Bell. "He was alert on the weakside, it was a critical play and a good read by him."

The touch foul was committed by former Buck Mike James, who finished with 14 points and six assists.

"The turnover hurt but what made it even worse was the foul," Minnesota coach Dwane Casey said. "That made it a four-point game."

Ricky Davis and Garnett both split a pair of free throws before Williams sank two shots from the line with four seconds remaining to seal it.

"After four games in five nights, our effort was great," Stotts said. "Our guys really showed a lot. It was a good, solid effort by everybody.

Garnett netted 26 points and Davis added 18 and four steals for the Wolves, who dropped their second straight game after a season-high four consecutive wins.

"I felt like I was too passive in the second half," said Garnett, who had four turnovers. "I just don't like the way I'm playing right now."

Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva missed the game due to right shoulder tendinitis. He is listed as day-to-day.