Bucks take down hapless Nets in New Jersey

By Bob Considine, for NBA.com
Posted Tuesday January 5, 2010 11:38PM

EAST RUTHERFORD (NBA.com exclusive) -- The Nets stayed on course for one of the worst records in NBA history with their 98-76 loss to the Bucks at the IZOD Center.

Yet that wasn't the worst news for New Jersey on Tuesday night. With the ugly defeat, the 3-31 Nets also ended the easiest stretch of their season.

Behind Andrew Bogut's 18 points and Carlos Delfino's 17 points off the bench, Milwaukee sent New Jersey to a 1-6 mark over its season-long seven-game home stand.

With seven of their next nine games on the road, where they are 1-16, the Nets endured a sendoff they'd rather forget. And they probably won't forget it, heading into Wednesday night's game in Atlanta.

"Tonight was a disappointment," Nets coach Kiki Vandeweghe said. "There's no way to sugarcoat this. We did not come out and play well tonight."

It was, however, a much-needed boost for the Bucks, who entered the game having lost seven of their last nine and three straight on the road.

"We got contributions from a lot of guys and that's how we have to win," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. "We have to have three, four or five guys play well on any given night."

The Nets had culprits all over the place, with Vandeweghe labeling some of the team's second-half play as "selfish." Devin Harris finished with just five points on 0-of-4 shooting. Courtney Lee started the game making his first three shots, only to go 0-of-9 from that point on for his six points. Only Yi Jianlian (22 points, two blocks) had a game worth recalling.

"Two steps forward and obviously we took a step back tonight," Harris said. "It's the nature of what our season has been like. We have to continue to work and continue to keep chipping away at it."

Despite starting the game with an 8-0 run, which included an 0-of-7 start from the Bucks, the Nets still found themselves trailing by as many as 14 in the first half. Turnovers were the obvious reason, with New Jersey committing 10 in the first quarter and 13 in the half - good for 16 Bucks points.

"Just kind of careless with the ball," Harris explained. "I mean we made a few careless turnovers, with passes. A few rushed passes. I think I had five myself. Just one of those quarters we gave away the ball."

Milwaukee closed out the third quarter with a 10-3 run to take a 78-59 lead, with Bogut scoring 12 in the frame. By the fourth, New Jersey had basically let go of the rope. A Delfino 14-footer with 6:33 left gave the Bucks a 90-66 lead.

"I just didn't understand how we came out (in the second half)," said Nets forward Chris Douglas-Roberts, who finished with 12 points. "I didn't understand our energy at all. It was interesting to watch."

Before the game, the Nets announced they had bought out Rafer Alston's contract - a move to give the veteran guard a chance to play in a better situation while freeing up a roster spot to acquire Heat guard Chris Quinn in a separate deal.

Alston, who New Jersey acquired along with Tony Battie and Courtney Lee from Orlando in the Vince Carter trade last June, averaged 9.7 points and 3.9 assists in 27 games. He started 13 games in Harris' absence earlier this season, but had seen his playing time decrease dramatically with Harris' return. Alston agreed to return about $1 million of what remained of his $5.25 million salary to break free from New Jersey.

"Clearly, he was in a situation that was tough for him," Vandeweghe said. "He's been a starter for most of his career and played in the championship series last year. And he has a lot more basketball in him. I think it's really good for everybody."

The Nets acquired Quinn, Miami's second-round pick in 2012 and cash for a 2010 second-round pick (protected 31-50) and a trade exception to take on Quinn's $1.05 million salary. Quinn, who was sidelined with a foot injury early in the season, has not played for the Heat this season, his fourth. He has averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 assists in 168 career games.

The trade for Quinn marked the first one in the NBA for 2010 - and it may not be the last for the Nets before the Feb. 19 trading deadline.

• Bucks: Alexander, Gadzuric
• Nets: Boone, Williams

• Bucks: --
• Nets: Barrise

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 3

• Arena: IZOD Center, New Jersey, NJ
• Officials: #42 Eric Lewis, #14 Joe DeRosa, #68 Marat Kogut
• Attendance: 11101
• Duration: 2:7