GAMEDAY: Milwaukee at Houston - 1/25/12

COACH SCOTT SKILES
(On the game) “I believe it was they had us on a run in the first half of twenty to two, it was very strange.  They went in at half time and then came out and we didn’t show a whole lot of life. Then we started really moving the ball and knocking down our shots, and we picked up our defense.  We got the lead, but we couldn’t hold it once again, but we were able to hold it long enough to get the W.”

(On his teams play) “Mike was good (hitting threes).  That group out on the court in the second half really did a great job.  They played unselfishly.  We came out and executed and got good looks, and knocked down our shots.”

(On the Rockets) “Houston made a run, but we still hung in there and battled back.  Give our guys a lot of credit because it is hard to see Bogut go down like that. Houston has been playing very well, that’s another reason that makes this a good win.  We started the season 0-8 on the road and now we have won three in a row.  I was proud of the way we hung in there and kept battling, and the way we really took off.”

ANDREW BOGUT
(On his injury) “It was an ankle sprain.  It’s hard to say now, but we’ll see tomorrow.  I just can’t seem to catch a break.  Coming back from injuries is tough; it’s unlucky and frustrating.  Someone has a voodoo doll and is putting pins in me.”

MIKE DUNLEAVY
(On the game) “It was a good win.  We’re starting to play well on the road.  We got a cushion in the fourth quarter and held on to win.  We made shots.  It was nice to see my shots go in.  We have a team that defends well and tonight we made our shots.  We had a great third quarter and finished off the fourth.”

DREW GOODEN
(On the game) “I had to be there when the big guy went down.  It’s unfortunate that we lost the big fellow.  We were in the twilight zone in the second half.  The second group did a great job and lifted us up, and then the starters came back at the end; it was a good victory.

BRANDON JENNINGS
(On the game) “Our big man went down and it was nice to get the W.  We had shots and we finished them out.  Our bench was the reason we were able to get the win.  It was good to get a win against Houston, as they have been playing well.”

DEFENSIVE PRESENCE – Luc Mbah a Moute earned his first start of the season on 1/23 vs. ATL. Known for his defensive prowess, Mbah a Moute's impact on the court shows when comparing opponent numbers for games in which he has played and games he hasn't this season.

DEPTH PERCEPTION – For nine games in a row, 12 total this season, at least one Bucks reserve has come off the bench to contribute 10 or more points. Milwaukee is 6-6 when the team gets that offensive contribution:

• 1/23 vs. ATL: Dunleavy (17), Gooden (13), Ilyasova (10)
• 1/22 @ MIA: Ilyasova (16), Jackson (10)
• 1/20 @ NYK: Gooden (10)
• 1/17 vs. DEN: Harris (14)
• 1/16 @ PHI: Harris (12), Udrih (10)
• 1/13 @ DAL: Livingston (15)
• 1/12 vs. DET: Ilyasova (14)
• 1/10 vs. SAS: Leuer (10)
• 1/8 @ PHX: Harris (15), Livingston (12), Leuer (11)

QUARTERLY REPORT – When the Bucks can maintain a lead or tie through three quarters, they are 5-2. In Monday's loss to the Hawks, Milwaukee went in at halftime tied at 48, but lost the third quarter to Atlanta 22-16, the fifth time this season that the Bucks have scored less than 20 points in that quarter. Five of the six Milwaukee victories have come when the team can tie or beat their opponent in the second half.

• A start in Houston will give Andrew Bogut the 400th of his career.
  
  
• Milwaukee looks to continue its success on the road at Houston with a third victory in as many away games. The last time the Bucks won three consecutive road games was 4/6/10 – 4/14/10.
  
  
• On Monday vs. ATL, for the second time this season, two Bucks players recorded a double-double in a game. Brandon Jennings (21 pts, 11 ast) and Ersan Ilyasova (his first of the season – 10 pts, 11 rbds) accomplished the feat against the Hawks. The other time came on 1/10 vs. SAS when Jennings (15 pts, 11 ast) and Andrew Bogut (14 pts, 11 rbds) got their first and second double-doubles of the season, respectively.
  
  
• Scott Skiles started his seventh different lineup on 1/23 vs. ATL, using 10 players in that role so far this season. Through 16 games last season, the Bucks had utilized 5 combinations of starters with 9 players.
  
  
• The Bucks outscored the Hawks by 14 (20-6) in second chance points on 1/23, their largest margin of the season.
  
  
• Andrew Bogut has had at least one blocked shot in nine games in a row this season (12/30/11-1/23/12). He is seventh in the NBA with 1.9 blocks per game.