MILWAUKEE, Feb. 22 (Ticker) -- Nothing comes easy for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ervin Johnson hit a short jumper to snap a tie with 28 seconds remaining, then made a crucial play on the defensive end as the Bucks rallied from a 12-point deficit to post a 116-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

But even in victory, Milwaukee managed to create more controversy. Glenn Robinson was benched by coach George Karl midway through the final quarter for erratic play. The "Big Dog" did not take the benching well as he refused to enter team huddles down the stretch and ripped into Karl after the game.

"When I make mistakes, the crowd boos me and the coaching staff singles me out," he said. "You can't do that with just one guy. If you do that with one guy, you should do that with everyone. But if they want to give me the heat, I can take it."

NBA TV highlights from Warriors-Bucks: 56k | 300k Anthony Mason was one of two Bucks with double-doubles, and one of six to score in double figures. Gary Dineen NBAE/Getty Images

Coming off a 39-point triumph over the Houston Rockets, the enigmatic Bucks were hoping to build some momentum. Instead, they found themselves in a stuggle against one of the league's weaker teams.

After Johnson's jumper gave the Bucks a 112-110 lead, Gilbert Arenas drove the lane for the Warriors, only to have his layup rejected by Johnson with 14 seconds left.

Rookie Jason Richardson scored a season-high 35 points for the Warriors, but missed a baseline jumper off the ensuing inbounds pass.

"I think Jason's future is up to him," Golden State coach Brian Winters said. "It's somewhat unlimited. He is a strong player. Every day he gains confidence. He went to the All-Star game and was around All-Star caliber players and came back thinking he can play at that level."

Ray Allen hit a pair of free throws to make it 114-110 with 11 seconds left. After Antawn Jamison converted a layup with two seconds remaining, Allen made two more from the line a second later to clinch the victory despite a bloody nose.

Allen, who scored 28 points and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds, was popped in the nose by Richardson before hitting his game-clinching free throws.

It marked the 13th time this season the Bucks have rallied from a deficit of 12 or more points for a victory. The win enabled Milwaukee to remain tied with the Detroit Pistons for first place in the Central Division.

"The only thing that matters to me is that we battled throughout and got a win," said Milwaukee guard Sam Cassell, who added 25 points. "A win is a win, no matter how you look at it."

But most of the postgame attention was focused on Robinson. Karl, who has been sharply critical of his team in recent weeks, tried to downplay the controversy.

"I've never been a big in-the-huddle guy," he said. "I don't want to single anybody out but everyone, no matter who they are, has to play the game the right way."

The Bucks were porous on defense -- allowing the Wariors to shoot 55 percent (46-of-83) from the field. Robinson was one of the reasons why as he offered little resistance against Richardson, who made 16-of-22 shots and scored an NBA season high for rookies.

Robinson also struggled offensively, scoring 15 points on 6-of-21 shooting, yet he saw no reason to apologize to Karl.

"I don't have anything to say to my coach," Robinson said. "My job is be play hard when he lets me play and sit my butt on the bench when he pulls me like he did tonight."

Robinson, who played only 25 minutes, was asked if he wanted to continue playing for the Bucks.

"Not if I continue to get minutes like I did tonight," he said.

With Milwaukee allowing one easy basket after another, the Warriors opened a 78-66 lead on Richardson's layup with 5:43 remaining in the third period.

"It's a lot harder to win games against teams that are struggling than you think," Karl said. "We gave them too much early and that got their confidence going."

The Bucks closed to 89-85 on Anthony Mason's layup before Bob Sura's layup three seconds later gave Golden State a six-point lead entering the final period.

The Warriors built a 105-97 lead on Richardson's jumper with 5:54 left, but Milwaukee reeled off eight straight points, tying the contest on Cassell's two free throws with three minutes left.

After Jamison, who contributed 23 points, hit 3-of-4 three throws to give the Warriors a 108-105, Allen made a pair from the line to pull the Bucks within a point with 1:17 left.

Following a Golden State turnover, Cassell drilled a 3-pointer with 49.5 seconds left to give the Bucks their first lead since the first half. The Warriors tied it for the final time on Richardson's layup four seconds later.

Milwaukee has won consecutive games for the first time since reeling off eight in a row from January 8-21.