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Head Coach Scott Skiles
On Bucks shot selection ...
"We had some breakdowns late in the game. One of the things that's happened to us is at really key moments when we need to make a play we struggle to make it and sometimes actually made a bad play, sort of an errant pass or something like that that's hurt us. We have to try to clean that up. Obviously we want to score more points than we're scoring in general. When we get it to two [points] or we get a two-point lead and things like that that have happened lately, we've had trouble making a good decision at that point."
On closing out games ...
"There are plays that in close NBA games, it's usually is whoever makes the play at the end of the game. It could be a defensive play, could be an offensive play; our defense has been fairly solid, we've just struggled on the offensive end to make the correct play."
On Bucks last two shots of the game to tie or win ...
"I thought both of those looks were good - the one was a two, the last was a three - I thought they both were pretty good looks. Against a good defensive team, which they are, with no timeouts left, they know we're probably going for a three, it's hard to get a decent look, and we executed pretty well on that possession. Brandon took his time and got a good look, teed it up; it just didn't go down."
Center Andrew Bogut
On keeping the Thunder's offensive in check in a low-scoring game ...
"I don't know if it was all our defense; they were missing two of their best players, one [is] the leading scorer in the league. It was an ugly game on both sides; we just couldn't find a way to grind it out."
On how Oklahoma City's defense took Bucks out of their game plan ...
"They packed the paint on us, made us shoot it from outside, trying to be physical with our guys, physical inside. For the most part, it was a similar type defensive game for both teams."
Guard Brandon Jennings
On his last two shots of the game ...
"The first one Andrew handed off to me for the three, it felt like it was good. Also the second [shot], it just rimmed in and out. I thought they were both good looks. I was just trying to make something happen."
On the late Bucks rally ...
"We fought back in the second half, we brought a lot of energy, but it wasn't enough. We came out short at the last minute. Couple key plays that we should've taken advantage of, but we didn't. We have to try to turn this thing around."
On emotion and outlook moving forward ...
"It starts with me and everyone else. We have to start with energy in the beginning; being down ten at the half wasn't a good look, of course, because we have to try to rally back in the second half to try to get the lead and get the crowd back into it. That takes a whole lot out of you."
(On difference in tonight's contest ...)
"They were just patient on the offensive end and ran their plays."
NOTABLES
- Oklahoma City was able to withstand Milwaukee's fourth quarter rally and win 82-81. The Bucks came within one point on five different occasions in the quarter but were never able to take the lead. With the loss the Bucks drop to 5-8 including a 1-6 record vs. the Western Conference.
- After one quarter, the Bucks trailed 26-19. James Harden led the way for the Thunder scoring 10 points and hitting three 3-pointers while Drew Gooden scored 10 for Milwaukee shooting 50 percent from the field.
- Andrew Bogut picked up three quick fouls in the first half and had to go to the bench with 8:06 left in the second quarter. He had four rebounds and zero points.
- The Thunder went into the half leading the Bucks 47-37. Oklahoma City was able to take advantage of their good 3-point shooting in the first half making 5-8 while the Bucks only converted 1-7.
- After three quarters the Bucks were able to cut into the Thunder's lead trailing only by six. Jennings and Gooden were tied for the Bucks leading scorer with 12 each and Harden led the Thunder with 15 points hitting four 3-pointers.
- The Thunder scored only 15 points in the third quarter shooting 33 percent from the field while the Bucks shot 40 percent.
- Jennings led Milwaukee in scoring with 25 points (8-24 from the field) and had three assists; Bogut scored eight points and had 12 rebounds (his seventh game this season with double figures in rebounds).
- Harden led the way for the Thunder, scoring a season high 23 points (he came into the game averaging 7.6 points per game). All of his field goals came from beyond the 3-point line.
- The Bucks had a season low 11 assists tonight. Their previous low was 14 against New Orleans.
- Drew Gooden recorded his fourth double-double of the season (12 points and 16 rebounds).
- Carlos Delfino of the Bucks missed his sixth straight game with a strained neck.
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