Milwaukee Bucks Blog – Page 58 – NBA Blog

Bucks end Nuggets 7-game home winning streak

The AP reports:

The fans sure expected a bleary-eyed, weary-legged Milwaukee Bucks team to show up at the Pepsi Center, where the Denver Nuggets were 30-5.

Chauncey Billups swears he knew better, even though he and his Denver teammates were powerless to do anything about it in a 102-97 loss Saturday night to the Bucks, who didn’t arrive in their hotel rooms until 3 a.m. following a double-overtime win in Sacramento…

The surging Bucks secured their signature road victory even though point guard Brandon Jennings (nine points) and center Andrew Bogut (two points, three rebounds) had nights to forget.

Carlos Delfino scored 26 points, John Salmons added 21, Ersan Ilyasova pitched in 14 points and 10 rebounds and Luke Ridnour hit 5 of 8 shots for 11 points.

Tyreke Evans suffers concussion and more

Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports:

Sure, it would have been fun for two parts of the NBA Rookie of the Year debate to duel on the court Friday night at Arco Arena.

But the Kings’ star rookie wouldn’t be around late. And there’s no telling when he might be back.

Tyreke Evans left the game late in the fourth quarter as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied for a 114-108 double-overtime win.

Evans suffered a concussion in a fall and went to the locker room with 24.4 seconds left in regulation and the Kings ahead 91-89.

Evans also suffered lacerated gums and a chipped tooth, and doctors will check to see whether he has a broken jaw. Evans will not travel today with the team to Los Angeles for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

MARCH 20 AFTERNOON UPDATE

Sacramento Kings’ guard Tyreke Evans had an X-ray and CAT Scan taken this morning, of which the results came back negative for a fractured jaw. He will not travel with the team this afternoon to Los Angeles for tomorrow’s game against Clippers. Evans also suffered a slight concussion in last night’s 114-108 double overtime loss to Milwaukee at ARCO Arena. He will be re-evaluated Monday.

Evans, currently in his rookie NBA season, is averaging a team-leading 20.3 points (.461 FGs, .252 3FGs, .746 FTs), 5.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.45 steals per game through 64 outings of which he has started in all 64.

Rumors talk: Aches and pains

In the latest shocking news, Eddy Curry continues to feel pain, tightness, sharpness, aches and whatever other unhealthy words you can think of. At this point it doesn’t really matter if he plays or not. The main thing the Knicks want to do is trade him, and that’s pretty hard to pull off if he can’t even get on the court, let alone play well.

The Bucks have gone nuts lately and while credit goes to the whole team, Andrew Bogut is big-time out there. He’s moved up a notch in the eyes of many.

I look forward to seeing how Phoenix Suns rookie Earl Clark does in the D-League. He’s not expected to be there long. Chances are he doesn’t do anything special for one or two games, and then unleashes something nasty once he gets the hang of it. And then gets called back to the Suns.

The Heat will reportedly sign Kenny Hasbrouck, who I bet at least 12 of you have heard of.

Amar’e Stoudemire is a monster out there lately.

Glen Davis and Shaq should sumo-wrestle it out.

I can appreciate Matt Bonner feeling that every shot he takes should go in. I feel the same way about my own shot. Typically, out in the park if I shoot and miss, I take the basketball, kick it out of the playground while declaring it defective, curse at everybody and call city maintenance to come measure the rims. It makes a positive impression on the guys I’m playing with and sends a clear message that my shot is not to be trifled with.

Tyreke Evans is putting up some Lebron-like stat-lines. Kid is nasty.

Talk to you tomorrow.

InsideHoops.com Rumors Talk is an editorialized take on today’s NBA rumors stories.

Hot Bucks beat Celtics to win 10 of last 11 games

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

It took some grit, guile and old-fashioned defense for the Milwaukee Bucks to continue their winning ways Tuesday night at the Bradley Center.

The Bucks survived a last-second, game-tying attempt by Celtics forward Paul Pierce to grab an 86-84 victory in a game that carried the tension of a playoff thriller. Milwaukee (34-29) won its fourth straight and its 10th game in the last 11 to continue its run as one of the National Basketball Association’s hottest teams.

Plenty of heroes showed up for the Bucks, led by center Andrew Bogut with 25 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Carlos Delfino, who took intravenous fluids before the game to battle a case of the flu, played anyway and added 19 points and eight rebounds.

John Salmons scored 16 points and sank a critical three-pointer to give the Bucks the lead for good at 81-79 with 4:01 remaining.

And 6-foot-1, 169-pound rookie Brandon Jennings stood up to the Celtics’ 6-9, 295-pound forward Glen Davis after a hard foul on a breakaway layup attempt in the fourth quarter.

Bucks raise season-ticket prices

Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports:

After holding the line for three seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks are raising season-ticket prices, especially in the high-end seats.

The price for the courtside club seats located behind the benches is $119 per game for a season-ticket package, an increase of $5 a game. Some other high-end seats will go for $94 ($4 increase) and $89 ($4 increase). Some of the lower-priced season tickets are $28 ($1 increase), $18 ($1 increase) and $9 ($1 increase).

In recent years, many professional sports franchises have raised prices on seats but have generally increased prices by a higher percentage for high-end seats while trying to hold down prices on cheaper seats.

Michael Redd to have more knee surgery

Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd is scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

The surgical procedure will be performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Cole, M.D., in Oak Park, IL. Redd, 30, will begin rehabilitation immediately following surgery.

Redd injured his left knee on January 10 in the Bucks game against the Lakers at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. In 18 games this season, Redd averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.06 steals in 27.3 minutes.

A 10-year NBA veteran, Redd passed Bob Dandridge (11,478) for fourth in franchise history (January 5 at New Jersey) for scoring and stands at 11,510 points, 85 points from passing Sidney Moncrief (11,594) for third. At 568 games played, Redd is tied with Glenn Robinson for seventh in Bucks annals. Along with Junior Bridgeman and Sidney Moncrief, Redd is one of three players to play ten seasons in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform.

Jerry Stackhouse helping Bucks

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (via blog):

Jerry Stackhouse hardly played last season with Dallas due to injuries, and he hadn’t played at all this season until the Bucks signed him in mid-January.

But the 35-year-old forward has discovered a key role as part of a productive Bucks bench. On Wednesday he played 25 minutes and contributed 13 points, four assists and four rebounds in the Bucks’ 115-95 victory over New Orleans.

Coach Scott Skiles likes to go to Stackhouse in the second quarter, and the veteran has justified his coach’s faith more often than not.

“I kind of know where to pick my spots,” Stackhouse said. “Even though you’ve been around for 15 years, it’s not that all these guys know your game.

Andrew Bogut dominates in Bucks win over Knicks

The New York Knicks recently made some changes, but their losing ways continued in dramatic fashion Monday night in Madison Square Garden as the visiting Milwaukee Bucks enjoyed a convincing 83-67 victory.

Monday’s matchup marked the second game for new Knicks Tracy McGrady, Sergio Rodriguez and Eddie House. And after showing some entertaining and effective flashes in his first game for New York, this time Rodriguez got the start, over generally ineffective point guard Chris Duhon.

But while Rodriguez continued to show his great quickness and creativity, aside from the ridiculous eight steals he managed to grab, his first start was a struggle as he shot 2-of-8 for four points, just one assist and three turnovers in 29 minutes of play.

For the winning Bucks, center Andrew Bogut was unstoppable, shooting 12-of-15 for 24 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks. John Salmons added 15 (but just 7-of-18 shooting). Luc Richard Mbah a Moute added 11.

Rookie point guard Brandon Jennings struggled with his shot, hitting just 1-of-9 for four points, though he added eight rebounds and seven assists.

Against Bogut, Knicks center David Lee had a quiet double-double, hitting 6-of-12 for 12 points and 13 assists.

The Knicks were led by Tracy McGrady’s 15 points, though he shot just 5-of-14 and didn’t contribute much else. He also came up limping. A close eye will be kept on his knees over the next week and beyond.

The Knicks as a team shot just 33.8% and only hit 5-for-24 from three-point range. The Bucks dominated in the rebounding department 61-35. The Bucks also dished 20 assists, while the Knicks only had 10.

Sergio Rodriguez struggles in first start for Knicks

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

The Chris Duhon Era may be over as the Knicks named a new starting point guard for now and perhaps the distant future.

The flashy Sergio Rodriguez, the Spanish bonus in Thursday’s Tracy McGrady blockbuster trade, made his first start last night vs. the Bucks, but it turned out to be a big dud.

Rodriguez, who had eight steals, was 2 of 8 for four points and once passed with 1 second on the shot clock. Duhon recorded his first DNP as a Knick as Eddie House backed up Rodriguez in their awful, boo-infested 81-67 loss at the Garden.

Rodriguez, 23, will be a work in progress, but Duhon made it easy for coach Mike D’Antoni by playing horribly again Saturday, going scoreless. Duhon is not expected to be re-signed when his contract expires at the end of the season.

76ers trade Royal Ivey, Primoz Brezec to Bucks for Jodie Meeks, Francisco Elson

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired center Primoz Brezec and guard Royal Ivey (6-4, 215) from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for center Francisco Elson and guard Jodie Meeks, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Additionally, the Bucks obtained Philadelphia’s second round draft pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Brezec (7-1, 255) is currently in his eighth NBA season and sports career averages of 7.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 328 regular season games (214 starts). Last season, Brezec played for Lottomatica Virtus Roma in the Italian League where he teamed with current Bucks rookie guard Brandon Jennings. In 29 games in the Italian League, Brezec averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 63.2 percent from the field. In 14 Euroleague games, he tallied 9.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 55.4 percent from the field.

A native of Postojna, Slovenia, Brezec, 30, began his professional career in the Slovenian League with Kraski (1996-98) and Olimpija Ljubljana (1998-2001). He was selected by Indiana in the first round (27th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft and played three seasons (2001-2004) for the Pacers before being selected by Charlotte in the 2004 NBA Expansion Draft. Brezec played three-plus seasons in Charlotte before finishing out the 2007-08 campaign with Detroit and Toronto. He signed with Philadelphia prior to the start of the 2009-10 season and appeared in seven games for the 76ers.

Ivey, 28, is in his sixth NBA season and second stint with the Bucks. The Harlem, NY, native spent the 2007-08 campaign in Milwaukee and played in a career-high 75 games (20 starts) and averaged 5.6 points, 2.1 assists and 1.6 rebounds – all career-high totals. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the 37th selection out of Texas in the 2004 NBA Draft, Ivey played three seasons in Atlanta before signing with the Bucks. He signed with Philadelphia prior to the 2008-09 season and has played 97 games for the 76ers over the last season-plus. In 360 career NBA regular season games (109 starts), Ivey has averaged 3.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Elson, 33, signed a free agent contract with Milwaukee prior to the 2008-09 season. Currently in his seventh NBA season, Elson began his NBA career in Denver in 2003 and has also played with San Antonio (2006-2008) and Seattle (2008). In 404 career NBA regular season games (148 starts), Elson has averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds. Elson is the first Dutch national to win an NBA Championship (Spurs – 2007).

Meeks, 22, was selected by Milwaukee after his junior year at the University of Kentucky with the 41st pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He played in 41 games for the Bucks this season and averaged 4.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game. As a junior for the Wildcats, Meeks set a school single-game scoring record with 54 points, including 10 three-point field goals and 14-of-14 from the line. He set Kentucky’s all-time single-season record for three-pointers made (117) in his junior year.