NBA preseason: Augustin, Henderson lead Bobcats past Bucks 94-87

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — D.J. Augustin scored 15 points, rookie Gerald Henderson was nearly perfect from the field and Charlotte beat the Milwaukee Bucks 94-87 on Tuesday night in Tyson Chandler's preseason debut with the Bobcats.

Charlotte (2-5) snapped a four-game losing streak despite getting little from Chandler, who had four points and two rebounds in 16 minutes in his first game following offseason ankle surgery.

Henderson, the 12th pick in the draft, added 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting and Boris Diaw had 10 points in 30 minutes in his longest stint since returning from a sprained ankle.

Rookie Brandon Jennings shook off a slow start to finish with 14 points and eight assists in his second straight start for the Bucks (3-4), while Andrew Bogut had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Chandler, acquired in July from New Orleans for Emeka Okafor, had sat out the first six exhibition games.

He started at center and played two 8-minute stretches in the first and third quarters, looking still short of game shape. Chandler hit a mid-range jumper and had a putback dunk, but wasn't a major part of the offense during his stints.

The Bobcats were still short-handed, playing without starting shooting guard Raja Bell, who was getting more tests after jamming his left wrist in Sunday's loss to Utah. Flip Murray (shin) and Alexis Ajinca (left hip flexor) also sat out.

Augustin started, and had his second strong game after scoring 29 points Sunday against Utah, going 6 of 12 from the field with three assists while producing some early headaches for Jennings.

The 20-year-old Jennings, the 10th pick in the draft who played in Italy last season, had recorded 19 assists in his last two games. But he committed two turnovers in a 1-minute span in the first quarter, the second coming on Augustin's steal and layup and earning Jennings a seat on the bench.

Vladimir Radmanovic hit a 3-pointer and two free throws in a 10-0 run to start the second quarter as Charlotte built a 35-20 lead.

Jennings recovered in the second half, scoring on consecutive pull-up jumpers as the Bucks got within 65-63.

But Charlotte pulled away in the fourth quarter. Augustin's pretty crossover move started the surge, causing Roko Ukic's knees to wobble as he blew by for an easy layup. Stephen Graham and Diaw followed with 3-pointers and Charlotte led 90-74 with 6:05 left.

With the news earlier Tuesday that the NBA's regular referees plan to vote on a new labor proposal this week that could end the lockout, replacement referees Robbie Robinson, Kevin Sparrock and Art Vaulk still drew the ire of Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles.

Vaulk hit Skiles with a technical foul — his third of the preseason — after he ran up the court to protest what he felt was a missed foul call on Bogut's hook shot in the second quarter.

"That was a foul!" Skiles yelled, as he remained at midcourt for several seconds before returning to the bench.

Bobcats coach Larry Brown, fined $60,000 last week after getting ejected from a game, remained quiet most of the game. The crew called 53 fouls and there were 52 free throws.

NOTES: The teams combined for 47 turnovers, 26 by Charlotte. ... Brown said practices before the season opener Oct. 28 at Boston will be vital because of the preseason injuries to Chandler and Diaw. ... Bucks F Joe Alexander (strained right hamstring) did not travel and has yet to play in the preseason.