Good first game without Bogut.

Bobcats vs Bucks boxscoreBobcats vs Bucks recapBobcats vs Bucks coverageStraight Outta VancouverMilwaukee Bucks

MILWAUKEE: The Milwaukee Bucks (7-3) was hosting the last game of their six game home stand, playing host to the Charlotte Bobcats (3-9).

The Bucks were playing their first game after hearing the news that center Andrew Bogut’s injury he sustained against the New Jersey Nets that Bogut would be out 2 to 4 weeks with a lower left leg injury.

Versatile all everything Luc Richard Mbah A Moute would also be missing his second game due to an ankle injury, and his staus remains day to day. With SG Michael Redd still on the shelf with a knee injury he sustained on Halloween night, it was becoming apparent the Bucks were going to be asking even more of their prized rookie, PG Brandon Jennings who for the season is averaging 25ppg and 6 apg.



Jennings didn’t disappoint as he got his team kick started by scoring 17 first quarter points as Milwaukee jumped out to a 53-41 half time lead, keeping Charlotte at bay in the second half by not allowing the ‘cats to get any closer than 8 the rest of the way.

Charlotte was led by Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace with 22 points apiece.

Jennings finished with 29 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds in 40 minutes of action. It’s the same story that has followed Jennings and the Bucks all season though, and that is the overall play of the entire team. Jennings gets everything within the flow of the offense.

So does Ersan Ilyasova, who is continuing his ascension up the ladder on the team list of important players with another solid performance (13/7).

In the last five games Ersan is averaging (13/8) and playing tough hard nosed defense and constantly keeping balls alive for others to grab offensive rebounds.

After an inauspicious start, Hakim Warrick came alive and had a nice game, finishing with 16 points and 9 rebounds in 31 minutes.

Luke Ridnour gets his shots within the team concept. He’s averaging 10 points in 21 minutes, often teaming with Jennings, providing a smart, heady, extra ball handler the Bucks need against pressuring defenses.

Carlos Delfino gets his within the flow as well. I love Delfinos toughness. He rebounds well, plays tough defense, and is very unselfish. His modest numbers 9 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assist in 40 minutes while playing tough defense is one of many unsung efforts Milwaukee has been getting from a variety of players all year these first ten games.

In the absence of Bogut, Dan Gadzuric and Kurt Thomas combined for 6 points and 10 rebounds in 38 total minutes between the two. They defended, didn’t hurt the team, and let everybody else do their part. Nice first game without Bogut for these two guys

Charlie Bell was once again steady, playing 32 minutes, 6 points, no turnover’s while defending Jackson. Jodi Meeks is continuing to get more comfortable everyday defending and rebounding and taking his shots within the flow as well.

The key to the Bucks success, and will be moving forward can be summed up in three words. TEAM. TEAM. TEAM. That’s how their winning, and Jennings, as a rookie deserves kudos for leading the way in a very humble manner.

Next up is a road game at Memphis tonight, who got a combined 73 points and 29 rebounds from their starting frontcourt of Marc Gasol Rudy Gay and Zach Randoph in last nights 103-97 Grizzlies win at Philadelphia. This is a game we'll miss Luc and Andrew.