The AP reports: Joakim Noah had a season-high 18 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks to lead the Bulls to a 114-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night after nearly squandering a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Bulls couldn’t hold an 18-point lead earlier in the month at home against the 76ers and dropped a game to the Wizards after leading by 20 points in the second half… Larry Hughes scored 19 points and Luol Deng added 16 to help the Bulls win for just the fourth time in 12 games. Chicago pulled 3 1/2 games behind eighth-place Atlanta for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Michael Redd scored 33 points to lead the Bucks, who lost for the 12 time in 14 games in March. Charlie Villanueva scored 15 of this 26 points in the third quarter, and Mo Williams added 13 points for Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut underwent a successful procedure this afternoon to reduce a displaced nasal fracture (broken nose), Director of Player Personnel Dave Babcock announced today.  The procedure was performed by Dr. Paul Lowenstein, M.D., at Elmbrook Hospital in Brookfield, WI.
Bogut sustained the injury in the fourth period of Wednesday night’s game in Atlanta.  He left the game to receive treatment and did not return to action.
Bogut will be required to wear a protective mask for the remainder of the season, but will not play tonight against the Orlando Magic.  After tonight, he will be listed as day-to-day.
In 68 games this season (all starts), Bogut has averaged 13.9 points, a team-high 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a team-high 1.76 blocked shots.  Among Eastern Conference centers, Bogut ranks second in scoring, second in double-doubles (32), third in blocked shots and fifth in rebounds.

The AP reports: Dwight Howard had 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Orlando Magic to their franchise-record 24th road victory with a 103-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Rashard Lewis added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Carlos Arroyo had 13 points and nine assists for the Magic, who improved to 24-13 on the road. The team was 15-26 last season. Mo Williams finished with 18 points and five assists for Milwaukee, which lost its third straight game and ninth in 10 games. Michael Redd was just 3-for-16 from the field and had seven points. The Bucks shot 34 percent for the game.

The AP reports: Joe Johnson scored 28 points, Josh Childress added 20 and the Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-96 on Wednesday night to maintain the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta also escaped a major scare when X-rays of Bibby’s left thumb came back negative… Andrew Bogut led the Bucks with 27 points and nine rebounds, but the 7-foot center left the game after Marvin Williams accidentally hit him in the face midway through the fourth… Michael Redd finished with 20 points for Milwaukee, which has lost seven straight on the road.

The AP reports: Chris Quinn stepped into the starting lineup and gave the Miami Heat a huge boost. The second-year guard from Notre Dame, a late replacement for the injured Jason Williams, scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Heat past the Milwaukee Bucks 78-73 on Monday night… Quinn shot 8-of-13 and added four rebounds, four assists and four steals… Michael Redd, who scored 24 points to lead the Bucks, had his shot blocked by Joel Anthony on the ensuing possession.

On Friday, March 28, during halftime of the Bucks/Magic game at the Bradley Center, the Milwaukee Bucks will continue their season-long, 40th anniversary celebration of the franchise’s greatest players when they honor Oscar Robertson and re-dedicate his #1 retired jersey banner. The Robertson recognition will be part of the Bucks 40th Anniversary celebration honoring the Bucks 40th Anniversary Team as selected by the fans in online balloting.
Robertson came to the Bucks prior to the 1970-71 season and helped the Bucks to the 1971 NBA Championship. Milwaukee won the title just three seasons after the franchise’s birth, the fastest any expansion team has won a championship. In 14 postseason games, Robertson averaged 18.3 points, 8.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds.
“The Big O” was acquired from the Cincinnati Royals in exchange for Flynn Robinson and Charlie Paulk. A 10-year veteran and 10-time All-Star with the Royals, Robertson played four seasons and appeared in 288 games with the Bucks. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds in those games and earned two All-Star appearances. Robertson’s 668 assists in 1970-71 are second in franchise history and stood as the record until the 1999-00 season. He ranks among the franchise leaders in points (4,701, 19th), assists (2,156, 6th) and free throw percentage (.842, 9th).
Though his regular season numbers are impressive, Robertson also led the Bucks to the postseason in each of his four years as the team won the championship, reached the conference finals, the conference semifinals and the NBA finals in his four years, respectively. The Bucks were 31-16 in the playoffs during his tenure with Robertson averaging 16.0 points, 8.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds in those 47 games.
In terms of playoff leaders, Robertson is 8th in points (751), 10th in scoring average (16.0), 6th in minutes played (1,845), 7th in field goals made (297), 8th in free throws made (157), 5th in free throw percentage (.822) and T-1st in assists (401).
The only player in franchise history to wear #1, Robertson was the first Milwaukee Buck to have his number retired on October 18, 1974. Robertson’s ceremony is the sixth out of seven on the season: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Nov 21), Sidney Moncrief (Jan 19), Junior Bridgeman (Feb 9), Bob Lanier (Feb 20), Brian Winters (Mar 18) with the Jon McGlocklin ceremony to be held on April 4 when the Bucks play the Pacers.

Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh is leaving the team. The Knicks, and possibly the Bucks, reportedly have interest in his services.
The Indianapolis Star (Mike Wells) reports: Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh announced today he is leaving the franchise. Walsh’s departure means team president Larry Bird will be the sole decision maker in the Pacers’ front office. Walsh, who has been with the Pacers since 1984, has already had conversations with New York about being the Knicks next president if Isiah Thomas is fired. His name has also been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks about their newly vacated general manager position. Walsh voluntarily backed away from day-to-day involvement with the Pacers, leaving Bird in charge of all player personnel moves last summer.
Full info is here.

The Bucks woes continue. A bad season gets even worse with the following:
Milwaukee Bucks Director of Player Personnel Dave Babcock announced today that Charlie Bell suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the Bucks win over Cleveland on Saturday, March 22.
Bell will be out for at least two weeks, at which time his knee will be re-evaluated by Bucks orthopaedic physician Dr. John Heinrich, M.D.
More info here.

Due to weather conditions last night in Milwaukee, the Cavaliers traveled to Milwaukee this morning for their game tonight against the Bucks.
Cavaliers forward/center Ben Wallace did not travel with the team due to back spasms. He remained in Cleveland for further examination.

The Milwaukee Bucks have advised General Manager Larry Harris that he will not be offered a new contract.  The team accommodated Harris’ recent request for an early decision on his status.  Harris’ contract expires June 30, 2008.  By mutual agreement, he is being relieved of his responsibilities so that he can pursue other opportunities.
“Larry Harris has served the Milwaukee Bucks since 1990 with complete dedication and loyalty,” Bucks President Senator Herb Kohl said.  “The commitment and effort he provided the organization has resulted in many good outcomes.  I believe at this time it is in the best interest of the Bucks to proceed in another direction.  Larry’s professional approach has been valued and appreciated by our organization and we wish him the best in future endeavors.”