Bucks top Wizards, inch closer to 8th playoff spot

By Joseph White

Associated Press

Published: Monday, April 2 2012 7:35 p.m. MDT

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Milwaukee Bucks power forward Drew Gooden, right, drives to the basket against Washington Wizards forward Jan Vesely, of the Czech Republic, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 2, 2012, in Washington.

Evan Vucci, Associated Press

Summary

Brandon Jennings scored 17 of his 19 points in the third quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks pulled within two games of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot Monday night with an unsightly 112-98 win over the Washington Wizards.

WASHINGTON — Brandon Jennings scored 17 of his 19 points in the third quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks pulled within two games of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot Monday night with an unsightly 112-98 win over the Washington Wizards.

Monta Ellis and Mike Dunleavy scored 17 points apiece, Ersan Ilyasova had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Jennings added seven assists and six rebounds as Milwaukee tries to take advantage of a soft spot in the schedule in its pursuit of the eighth-place New York Knicks.

Six players scored in double figures for the Bucks, who shot 52 percent and outrebounded the Wizards 48-35. Milwaukee now returns home for a five-game homestand that starts with Cleveland, Charlotte and Portland — all teams with losing records.

Jordan Crawford scored 23 points to lead the Wizards.

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