TORONTO, April 11 (UPI) -- A follow dunk by Jerome Williams came less than a second too late Friday night.
As a result, Milwaukee was able to turn back the Toronto Raptors, 105-103, and clinched an NBA playoff spot.
In a back-and-forth contest, Milwaukee took a 105-103 lead after Tim Thomas made 1-of-2 free throws with 5.6 seconds left. Toronto had no timeouts, and threw the inbounds pass to Alvin Williams, who raced downcourt.
Alvin Williams drove down the lane and his layup rolled off the rim, but Jerome Williams dunked the rebound with two hands. Officials reviewed the play, and ruled that the dunk came just after time expired, and the Bucks became the seventh Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff berth.
Toni Kukoc had 25 points and eight rebounds, and Gary Payton scored 24 points as Milwaukee moved within one game of seventh-place Orlando.
Jerome Williams collected 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Rafer Alston scored 20 points for the lottery-bound Raptors, who have lost five in a row.
