MILWAUKEE, Jan. 29 (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Bucks rebounded in more ways than one.

Sam Cassell and Ray Allen paced a well-balanced attack and Anthony Mason grabbed 11 rebounds as the Bucks recovered from a disheartening loss and posted a 109-90 triumph over the Boston Celtics.

Cassell had 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds while Allen added 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Bucks, who were coming off Saturday's 129-127 double-overtime loss to New York.

NBA.comTV highlights from Celtics-Bucks: 56k | 300k Sam Cassell had nine assists to go with his 20 points. Gary Dineen NBAE/Getty Images

Milwaukee also salvaged the finale of a four-game homestand and avoided its second four-game losing streak in a month. One of the reasons the Bucks were able to get back in the win column was their effort on their boards, where they held a 49-37 edge.

All-Star starter Antoine Walker had 25 points and eight rebounds for Boston. But fellow All-Star Paul Pierce had a rough night, making just 5-of-16 shots and scoring 16 points for the Celtics.

"They are a tough team," Pierce said. "When they got it going, they got it going. They are a tough team to guard against. They can all shoot the ball well. We just didn't come to play defense tonight."

The game was tied, 51-51, just 16 seconds into the second half when Joel Przybilla had a layup that touched off a 20-2 burst by the Bucks. The trio of Allen, Cassell and Tim Thomas accounted for all 20 points, with Allen scoring eight, Cassell seven and Thomas four.

"It was fun out there tonight," Cassell said. "We've been missing a lot of shots in the last three games. Tonight we knocked those shots down and played Bucks' basketball."

Thomas had the final four points and his basket with 6:04 to go in the third gave Milwaukee a 71-53 cushion. Boston got no closer than 15 points thereafter and trailed by as many as 25 late in the third quarter.

Ervin Johnson had nine rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench and the Bucks' starting backcourt outrebounded its Boston counterpart, 15-0.

"From the third quarter on, we were just outplayed in every part of the game," Celtics coach Jim O'Brien admitted.

"In the third quarter, it was like, 'pow,' and we were down 20 points," Celtics point guard Kenny Anderson said. "We just couldn't stop them. It was contagious. Everyone (on the Bucks) was feeling good."

Both teams have more than 35 games remaining, but each was aware of playoff ramifications. New Jersey (29-14) has the best record in the Eastern Conference, but Milwaukee (27-16) and Boston (26-18) are within striking distance.

Milwaukee has a road game against the Nets on Thursday.

"It was an important win because they are an Eastern Conference playoff contender," Mason said. "We wanted to play well. Now we have to go into New Jersey and make another statement."

"I think we're starting to see where the teams in the East are falling," Bucks coach George Karl said. "I don't think New Jersey is going to go away. We need to play well out there."

Glenn Robinson had another strong game, his second since missing 14 with a thigh bruise. He made 9-of-16 shots off the bench and scored 19 points in 25 minutes.

Johnson had six of his 10 points in the opening quarter as Milwaukee led 30-25 after 12 minutes. But Boston whittled the margin to 51-49 by halftime.