MILWAUKEE, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- All-Star Michael Redd and Brian Skinner fueled a big first quarter Saturday night as Milwaukee fought off New Orleans, 107-97.
Redd scored eight of his 25 points and Skinner eight of his 17 in the opening period, during which the Bucks opened a 30-20 lead. They never trailed as they won their fifth straight game at the Bradley Center and improved to 20-5 at home, the best mark in the Eastern Conference.
Returning from a winless three-game road trip, Milwaukee (27-23) moved past New Orleans (27-24) and would have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs if the season ended today.
All-Star Jamaal Magloire scored 20 points for the Hornets, who have lost five of their last six games, a slide that began after a 101-100 home win over the Bucks on Jan. 28.
