NBA Game Summary - Atlanta at Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI (Basketball News) - Bobby Simmons led a balanced attack with 18 points, as the Milwaukee Bucks held on the defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 88-87, at the Bradley Center.

Michael Redd tallied 16 points and T.J. Ford totaled 14 points and eight assists for the Bucks, who saw five players hit double digits in scoring. Andrew Bogut and Maurice Williams both had 10 points for Milwaukee, who blew a 17-point lead, but managed to snap a five-game home losing streak.

Josh Smith scored a career-high 25 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter, while Salim Stoudamire dropped 21 points and Joe Johnson scored nine points and dished out a career-high 17 assists and pulled down nine rebounds for the Hawks, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

Milwaukee opened the second half with a 15-6 run as Redd sank a three-pointer, Simmons hit two free-throws and Bogut converted a layup to cap off the run and give the Bucks a 13-point cushion, 61-48, with 8:08 remaining in the third quarter.

The lead would increase to 17 points, 75-58, as Simmons drained a three with 2:15 left, but the Hawks would score the next six points before Jamaal Magloire hit a free throw to end the quarter and give the Bucks a 76-64 advantage heading into the final frame.

The Hawks did not go away, as they embarked on a 15-5 run to open the last quarter. Johnson’s jumper with 4:55 left capped the run and pulled the Hawks to within two, 81-79. They would take their first lead of the game as Smith scored six consecutive points for the Hawks, including a jumper with 1:49 left to put his team up one, 85-84.

The Bucks took the lead right back, as Joe Smith’s bucket on the ensuing possession put the Bucks back on top, 86-85.

The two teams traded free throws and with just under 10 seconds left, Redd missed a jumper and Johnson grabbed the rebound. He dribbled up court and found Harrington for an open jumper attempt at the buzzer. Harrington’s shot hit the front iron and the Hawks’ fate was sealed.

Simmons hit a pair of free throws with 1:52 to go in the first quarter that gave the Bucks a 22-12 lead. Simmons dropped 11 points in the quarter. Milwaukee led, 25-18, after the first stanza.

The Hawks went on a 10-0 spurt early in the second quarter as Stoudamire scored eight of the ten points during the run, including three consecutive freebies to cut the lead to one, 31-30. The Bucks led 46-42 at the break.