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EVENTS
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MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Bucks picked an awful time for their first three-game losing streak in six months. The Bucks played themselves to the brink of elimination as they shot 37 percent and sputtered down the stretch in a 94-86 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in pivotal Game Five of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jamal Mashburn continued his playoff renaissance with 24 points and Baron Davis made five 3-pointers to lead the Hornets, whose surprising postseason run can move into the conference finals with a win Thursday at the Charlotte Coliseum, where they have not lost in the postseason. "You always want to gain the lead and that's what we've done," Hornets coach Paul Silas said. "I like our chances of being able to close this out. If we keep playing solid, I think we'll get it." The Bucks won the first two games at home but stumbled twice in Charlotte and continued their poor play in this one. They have lost three straight for the first time since dropping four in a row from November 18-25. "We were up 2-0, and it looked like it might be a sweep," Bucks guard Ray Allen said. "I don't think anyone in this room thought it would be 2-3. But now it is and we've got to turn the momentum on them like they did to us." Milwaukee shot just 36.6 percent (30-of-82) from the field as it was deserted by its best weapon. One of four teams to average more than 100 points during the season, the Bucks have averaged just 85.3 during their skid, which cannot get any longer. "I don't think anyone in here had their vacations planned yet," Allen said. "But I can tell you our vacation will come quickly if we don't figure something out." "I personally don't think that we've played well all series, but I know that I have a team that will bust their (rear) in Charlotte," Bucks coach George Karl said. "We only have one game to show our urgency." Mashburn made 8-of-23 shots but came through when it counted. He scored 10 of Charlotte's last 12 points of the third period and had a huge basket with 2:52 to play and the Hornets clinging to a three-point lead. "They were coming with the double-team on me," said Mashburn, who had eight assists. "I just concentrated on finding the open man and taking smart shots." Davis scored 19 points and did most of his damage from the arc. He made just 4-of-20 3-pointers in the first four games but was 5-of-5 on Tuesday, including a pair of rally-stoppers in the final period. "I went back to the drawing board, staying late after practice, taking more shots," Davis said. "Somebody had to take the shot and I was the only one with open looks. It seemed like they were doubling off me and I just felt good tonight." "It seemed like every time they made a run, he hit a big shot," Silas said. That was enough to beat back the Bucks, who again received a lackluster effort from their "Big Three" of Glenn Robinson, Allen and Sam Cassell. Robinson scored 22 points but missed a pair of shots in the last 90 seconds. Allen had five baskets in the first quarter but just one thereafter, finishing with 18 points. Cassell played despite bruised ribs and scored 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. "It affects my shooting, my breathing and my game plan mentally," Cassell said. "I've never had this injury before so I just don't know what to expect. Everyone's playing with pain right now and I can't use that as an excuse for why we're losing games." The Bucks lost at the Bradley Center for the first time in 13 games since March 15. Mashburn was at his best at the end of the third quarter. He followed a beautiful three-point play with a steal and a pass to Jamaal Magloire for a fast-break dunk and a 73-60 lead. The Bucks changed defenders but Mashburn added three straight hoops and a free throw, giving Charlotte an 80-69 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Asked how to better defend Mashburn, Cassell said, "I'm open for suggestions. He's playing better than I've seen him since his rookie year. He's put the team's burden all on his shoulders and he keeps making plays and tough shots." The Hornets missed their first eight shots and saw their lead dwindle to 80-74 before Davis buried a 3-pointer with 8:14 to go. Milwaukee kept pecking away and got within 85-82 on a 3-pointer by Cassell with 4 1/2 minutes left. Mashburn answered with two free throws but Robinson found Ervin Johnson for a dunk. On consecutive possessions, Mashburn scored inside and Davis drilled another 3-pointer for a 92-84 lead with 2:10 to play. "Baron Davis is playing huge right now," Hornets guard David Wesley said. "He's picked it up a notch the last few games of this series. Those threes in the fourth quarter may have won us the game." Robinson made a jumper but missed a finger roll and a 3-pointer around two missed foul shots by Mashburn. Elden Campbell rebounded Mashburn's miss and made two free throws to close the scoring with 26 seconds remaining. David Wesley scored 15 points and Campbell contributed 13 and 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who shot 44 percent (35-of-79) and committed just eight turnovers. Johnson swept 17 boards and Tim Thomas scored 15 points for the Bucks, who held a 52-43 advantage on the glass but committed eight of their 10 turnovers in the second half. With his team having been outrebounded 185-171 in the first four games, Karl tinkered with his lineup, starting Johnson at center and moving Scott Williams to forward in place of the smaller Darvin Ham. But Milwaukee's woes from the field continued as it shot under 40 percent in the first half. A 16-4 run featuring six points apiece from Campbell and Davis gave Charlotte a 42-34 lead with 5:42 left in the second quarter. Cassell missed his first five shots until hitting two in a row late in the half, helping the Bucks close to 52-49. However, the Hornets began the third quarter with an 11-4 run to open a 63-53 lead and bring some boos from the crowd of 18,717 upon the home team. |
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