Nobody was calling it a breakthrough, but the Milwaukee Bucks' 19-0 run to finish their victory over Indiana on Saturday night might have provided a glimpse of the way the starting unit can play.
That's including forward Charlie Villanueva, who is nominally a reserve but is getting a starter's playing time and producing at a steady clip. Four Bucks players scored 20 points or more, and starting point guard Luke Ridnour was highly effective with 13 points, six assists, three steals and just one turnover in Milwaukee's 121-103, home-court victory over the Pacers.
Villanueva had a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds in 36 minutes, and he also blocked three shots. The 6-foot-11 forward's improved play is one reason for optimism as the Bucks (10-15) return to the road this week against Eastern Conference foes Miami, Philadelphia and New York.
"There are new guys and a new system, and it's going to take awhile," Villanueva said. "But today is definitely an indication of what we can do."
Center Andrew Bogut had 20-20 vision with his second career 20-point, 20-rebound game. Bogut, who hadn't achieved that feat since a 20-point, 24-rebound night on Jan. 12, 2007, in Philadelphia, tied his season-high rebound total.
"Our defense is what sets the tone for us," Bogut said. "Coach (Scott Skiles) called a timeout and reiterated that we can't let our offense affect our defense. That's been a thorn in our side since I've been here."
The Bucks improved to 9-2 when holding opponents to less than 45% shooting (Indiana shot 44.6%), but they were concerned they let the Pacers back into the game by allowing 62% shooting in the third quarter.
Behind Villanueva's torrid 24-point first-half output, the Bucks built a seemingly comfortable 64-46 halftime lead.
"I wouldn't say this was a quality game," said Bucks forward Richard Jefferson, who scored eight of his 20 points during the 19-0 run in the last 4-plus minutes.
"We're still learning as a team, and it's an interesting process. But I truly do believe that we are getting better. It's just bit by bit."
The Bucks shot 51.2% against the Pacers and had 25 assists on 43 made baskets.
Michael Redd finished with 27 points and scored on strong drives to the basket and perimeter shots, including 4 of 10 from three-point range. The guard was appearing in his seventh straight game since returning from a right ankle injury that kept him out for 14 games in November.
"Now we go out on the road again, for another week again," Redd said. "But you've got to do what you've got to do."
The Bucks are hoping to stay within sight of the .500 mark by the end of December, when they will finish a grueling two-month stretch that features 20 of 33 games on the road. This week, they play a surprising Miami team featuring Dwyane Wade, followed by a stop in Philadelphia to face Elton Brand and a trip to New York to face the new-look Knicks with Al Harrington.
They will spend Christmas week at home, facing the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday and playing host to Utah on Dec. 23 and Detroit on Dec. 27. Then the Bucks finish the year with a Texas trip to play San Antonio and Houston.
After the game Friday in New York, the Bucks will have played 18 of their first 28 on the road, the heaviest travel schedule in the league.
"It's a tough schedule, but I don't think it has anything to do with our record, and I don't think it has anything to do with the way we've played," Skiles said. "We've tried to be focused on how we play, and so far we haven't been successful enough at that.
"We can play a lot better than we've played."
Copyright 2008, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)
