(Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks will try to make up some ground in
seeding for the Eastern Conference playoffs on Wednesday night when they visit
the Washington Wizards.
The Bucks are eighth in the East and it's a comfortable eighth. They are eight
games ahead of the Toronto Raptors for the final spot in the postseason, but
only 1 1/2 out of the sixth seed, currently held by the Boston Celtics.
Milwaukee let a good chance to make up ground slide by on Tuesday. They fell
at home to a hot Dallas Mavericks squad, 115-108.
"We've got to get on the road now and take care of business," interim coach
Jim Boylan said after the loss.
The setback ended a two-game winning streak for the Bucks. They still have won
six of their last eight, but Tuesday's loss stung.
The Bucks held a seven-point lead after the first quarters, but found
themselves down eight at the half. Their deficit ballooned to 11 after three
quarters and it was too much to overcome.
Monta Ellis was sensational as he's been the whole month of March. He scored
32 points against the Mavs and has gone over 20 in all six games this month.
Mike Dunleavy, who started in place of Luc Mbah a Moute, who sat with turf
toe, chipped in 18 and J.J. Redick scored 17 off the bench. Larry Sanders
tallied 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks and Epke Udoh netted 14.
It was an off night for Brandon Jennings. He only managed four points in the
loss.
Point-guard play was not the cause of loss for the Wizards on Tuesday night.
John Wall had season-highs with 27 points and 14 assists in a 95-90 setback
in Cleveland to the Cavaliers.
The Wizards flew out of the gate with a 33-20 first-quarter advantage, but
lost the middle two quarters, 56-32. Washington cut it to three late, but
Cleveland hung on for the win.
"It's tough to lose this game when you know you had a good start," said Wall.
"They out-hustled us and got loose balls."
Nene and Emeka Okafor both had double-doubles and Martell Webster scored 17
points. Including Wall, those four accounted for 77 points. The other eight
Wizards who saw action combined for 13.
The Wizards have lost three of their last four, but return to Washington on
Wednesday for the start of a three-game homestand. Washington has won two in
straight in the nation's capital.
The Wizards and Bucks split the two meetings this season with each winning in
the other's building. Milwaukee has won six of its last nine in Washington.
The Sports Network