Considering the team hasn't had its entire complement of players for most of the season, the Milwaukee brass is elated by the Bucks' success. The Bucks, who are 8-6 after losing to Oklahoma City on Friday night, have had to play most of their games without star shooting guard Michael Redd and veteran starting center Andrew Bogut. Bogut and Redd have been in the starting lineup together just two times this season. Bogut has been sidelined with a strained left leg and contusion, and Redd just returned to action after having suffered a strained patella in his left knee.
With those important pieces missing, and with Luc Mbah a Moute having been out recently with a sore left foot, coach Scott Skiles has been forced to juggle his lineup.
Skiles' moves have generally been favorable, but the Bucks have hardly been a smooth-running machine.
"We haven't been as sharp with our execution in the moments we need to be," Skiles said. "But I don't think that's terribly unusual or anything. We got a lot of new players and Michael is back now. We're trying to figure things out."
THUNDER 108, BUCKS: The Bucks seemingly couldn't buy a basket in the third quarter in losing Friday night at Oklahoma City. After trailing 51-50 at halftime, the Bucks missed their first 13 shots in the third quarter and were outscored 27-13 in the period. The Bucks' starting backcourt of Michael Redd and Brandon Jennings went a combined 6-for-20 from the field and totaled 20 points.
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