TORONTO, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- George Karl parked Glenn Robinson on the
bench for most of the fourth quarter while Ray Allen and Sam
Cassell bailed out the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday.
Allen's jumper from the right corner with 34 seconds left
snapped a tie and Alvin Williams missed three of four free
throws down the stretch as the Bucks snapped a three-game losing
streak with a 91-86 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Robinson was a dreadful 3-of-14 from the field and was benched
by Karl as the Raptors opened a 69-56 lead with 2:13 left in the
third quarter.
If Milwaukee general manager Ernie Grunfeld is contemplating a
trade to add toughness inside, this game may serve as the final
push. The Bucks were outscored, 36-8 in the paint and allowed
little-used Mamadou N'diaye to get eight points and seven
rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench for the Raptors.
But Allen and Cassell, who each had 20 points, again came to the
rescue for the Bucks. Allen scored two baskets to close the
third quarter and ignite a 19-6 run which Cassell capped with a
3-pointer with 6:53 left in the fourth quarter, tying the game
at 75-75.
Cassell converted a pair of free throws to give Milwaukee an
85-83 lead with 1:43 remaining.
Williams, who led the Raptors with 24 points, hit a running
jumper in the lane to tie the game with 52 seconds left.
It was Allen's turn next as he drilled an 18-footer from the
right sideline to give Milwaukee the lead for good at 87-85.
Williams was fouled with 23 seconds left, but missed the first
free throw and hit the second.
Milwaukee's Michael Redd converted both of his free throws when
he was fouled with 18.4 seconds remaining, giving the Bucks an
89-86 advantage.
Williams was fouled driving to the basket with 8.4 seconds left,
but missed both free throws.
Anthony Mason sealed the win with a pair of free throws for
Milwaukee with eight seconds left.
The Raptors suffered their fourth straight loss since the
All-Star break without star Vince Carter, who is sidelined with
a sprained quad.
