Milwaukee Bucks Getting Inside 2009-12-03 News Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are obviously better offensively when Michael Redd is on the court. Redd is one of the premier scorers in the league and one of its deadliest perimeter shooters.

But the Bucks are a better defensive team without him. That's because Redd's backup, Charlie Bell, is an excellent defender. Bell, in fact, is probably the Bucks' best on-ball defender. The 6-foot-3 Bell has also demonstrated an ability to not only defend shooting guards but also to defend point guards and small forwards as well. As Bucks coach Scott Skiles said of Bell: "We're not afraid to put him on anybody."

Bell filled in admirably for Redd earlier this season when the latter missed nine games because of a sprained patella tendon in his left knee. Bell will be filling in again for Redd, who missed Wednesday night's game against the Wizards and will miss Friday night's game against the Pistons because of soreness in his knee.

WIZARDS 104, BUCKS 102: Brandon Jennings went from hero to goat Wednesday night. After making a clutch three-point basket with 10.5 seconds remaining, Jennings fouled Wizards' point guard Earl Boykins after a pump fake with one second left. Boykins then made both free throws for the victory. After calling a timeout, Luke Ridnour missed an off-balance shot from the left corner at the buzzer. Ridnour had a terrific game for the Bucks, scoring 20 points on 9-of-16 field goal attempts. The Bucks also got 20 points from backup power forward Hakim Warrick.

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