When the Bucks lost power forward Charlie Villanueva to the Pistons in free agency last June, some observers thought the Bucks would have difficulty replacing him. Those sentiments certainly were understandable. Villanueva, after all, was coming off an excellent season in which he was the Bucks' second-leading scorer at 16.2 points per game. But Bucks officials seem to have nicely plugged the hole vacated by Villanueva's departure with the tandem of Ersan Ilyasova and Hakim Warrick. The Bucks signed both players as free agents over the summer, and both have been productive.
Ilyasova has been the starter and has averaged 11 points and 5.9 rebounds in 22.6 minutes through the first 14 games. Warrick has played in every game as well and has contributed 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in 24.3 minutes.
Combined, the Bucks' two power forwards have averaged 22.6 points and 12.8 rebounds a game.
MAGIC 100, BUCKS 98: The Bucks' inability to hit some clutch shots down the stretch and get to the free throw line more proved costly Saturday night at Milwaukee. The Bucks had two golden opportunities in the final minute to win the game, but Ersan Ilyasova, who had an outstanding game with 20 points and 16 rebounds, missed a 3-pointer, and Luke Ridnour, who had 20 points, couldn't knock down a 14-footer. The Bucks also went to the line only 13 times in the game. By contrast, the Magic had 25 free throw attempts.
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