Feb. 22, 2011 |

As the number of games in the NBA’s regular season dwindles, the pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks to make a playoff run is increasing.

At least that’s the way point guard Brandon Jennings viewed the situation after the Bucks outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves down the stretch for a 94-88 victory Tuesday night at the Bradley Center.

“Right now, there’s a lot of pressure on us,” said Jennings. “If the rest of my team don’t think so, I know for sure there’s a lot of pressure on us to win. So right now we just have to dig in and concentrate, and mentally we have to go in every game knowing that we have to win.

“I’m feeling the pressure because last year, with the great year that we had in making the playoffs, so we don’t want to miss out on the playoffs this year.”

The Bucks finished last season with an amazing run that got them into the playoffs, but this season at the all-star break they were four games behind Indiana in the loss column for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks now have an opportunity to string some victories together. After facing the Knicks in New York on Wednesday, Milwaukee will play six of its next seven games at home.

Center Andrew Bogut said the pressure started in the exhibition season when the Bucks were picked in some polls to win the Central Division.

“I would say there was pressure with the expectations,” he said. “No doubt about that. People were talking about us winning the division and being a top three or four team in the East and we weren’t ready for that yet.

“I’m a firm believer that it’s a step process. We got in the playoffs last year and we did a hell of a job. But we have to keep moving up in a steady fashion. You don’t just go from being a six seed to a three. It doesn’t work like that.”

Jennings led the Bucks against the Timberwolves, scoring 16 of his 27 points in the second half. He made 11 of 12 free throws, including five in the final 1 minute 17 seconds that sealed the victory.

Corey Maggette scored 13 of his 20 points in the second half, including eight early in the fourth quarter that helped Milwaukee to a 79-74 lead with 6:36 left.

Reserve forward Jon Brockman led the Bucks in rebounding for the first time this season, tying his career high with 14 in 24 minutes.

The Bucks shot 38.0% for the game.

“I just really tried to give us some type of spark and I’m glad I was able to do that,” said Maggette. “Next time it might be somebody else. With the caliber of players we have, we have a lot of guys that can do that, but at the end of the day it’s a team effort.”

Michael Beasley scored 21 points while Kevin Love finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds for Minnesota, which shot 38.1% in a game that was tied at halftime and after three quarters. Minnesota led by nine early in the third.

Maggette scored the first six Bucks points of the fourth quarter, Jennings added a jumper and Milwaukee led, 75-70, with 7:53 left. Maggette drove baseline for a two-handed dunk that gave the Bucks a 79-74 lead, and a three by John Salmons gave Milwaukee an 87-80 lead with 4:30 remaining.

But Minnesota came back, and a jumper by Luke Ridnour cut Milwaukee’s lead to 89-88 with 2 minutes left. But even though the Bucks weren’t flawless after that, they made enough plays and Jennings made enough free throws to close out the game, which is something the team has had difficulty doing.

“We’re glad that we won,” said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. “John hit a big three to put us up seven and we came right back down and gave up a three-point play. Then another time, we gave up an O-board and they scored but we were able to maintain our poise and make enough plays and score enough points down the stretch to win.”

Said Jennings, “It’s the second half of the season, so things have to get a little more serious and we have to come mentally focused and ready to play.”

Feb. 22, 2011 |

As the number of games in the NBA’s regular season dwindles, the pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks to make a playoff run is increasing.

At least that’s the way point guard Brandon Jennings viewed the situation after the Bucks outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves down the stretch for a 94-88 victory Tuesday night at the Bradley Center.

“Right now, there’s a lot of pressure on us,” said Jennings. “If the rest of my team don’t think so, I know for sure there’s a lot of pressure on us to win. So right now we just have to dig in and concentrate, and mentally we have to go in every game knowing that we have to win.

“I’m feeling the pressure because last year, with the great year that we had in making the playoffs, so we don’t want to miss out on the playoffs this year.”

The Bucks finished last season with an amazing run that got them into the playoffs, but this season at the all-star break they were four games behind Indiana in the loss column for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks now have an opportunity to string some victories together. After facing the Knicks in New York on Wednesday, Milwaukee will play six of its next seven games at home.

Center Andrew Bogut said the pressure started in the exhibition season when the Bucks were picked in some polls to win the Central Division.

“I would say there was pressure with the expectations,” he said. “No doubt about that. People were talking about us winning the division and being a top three or four team in the East and we weren’t ready for that yet.

“I’m a firm believer that it’s a step process. We got in the playoffs last year and we did a hell of a job. But we have to keep moving up in a steady fashion. You don’t just go from being a six seed to a three. It doesn’t work like that.”

Jennings led the Bucks against the Timberwolves, scoring 16 of his 27 points in the second half. He made 11 of 12 free throws, including five in the final 1 minute 17 seconds that sealed the victory.

Corey Maggette scored 13 of his 20 points in the second half, including eight early in the fourth quarter that helped Milwaukee to a 79-74 lead with 6:36 left.

Reserve forward Jon Brockman led the Bucks in rebounding for the first time this season, tying his career high with 14 in 24 minutes.

The Bucks shot 38.0% for the game.

“I just really tried to give us some type of spark and I’m glad I was able to do that,” said Maggette. “Next time it might be somebody else. With the caliber of players we have, we have a lot of guys that can do that, but at the end of the day it’s a team effort.”

Michael Beasley scored 21 points while Kevin Love finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds for Minnesota, which shot 38.1% in a game that was tied at halftime and after three quarters. Minnesota led by nine early in the third.

Maggette scored the first six Bucks points of the fourth quarter, Jennings added a jumper and Milwaukee led, 75-70, with 7:53 left. Maggette drove baseline for a two-handed dunk that gave the Bucks a 79-74 lead, and a three by John Salmons gave Milwaukee an 87-80 lead with 4:30 remaining.

But Minnesota came back, and a jumper by Luke Ridnour cut Milwaukee’s lead to 89-88 with 2 minutes left. But even though the Bucks weren’t flawless after that, they made enough plays and Jennings made enough free throws to close out the game, which is something the team has had difficulty doing.

“We’re glad that we won,” said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. “John hit a big three to put us up seven and we came right back down and gave up a three-point play. Then another time, we gave up an O-board and they scored but we were able to maintain our poise and make enough plays and score enough points down the stretch to win.”

Said Jennings, “It’s the second half of the season, so things have to get a little more serious and we have to come mentally focused and ready to play.”