AUDIO
• Scott Skiles
• Richard Jefferson
• Luc Mbah a Moute

Want any proof that the Bucks are improving from last season? 

For the third game in a row the Bucks shot poorly and got down by double-digits.  Last season that would have meant a blowout loss.  The times are a changing for the Bucks, as for the third straight contest, the Bucks rallied back.  Unlike the previous two games, the Bucks could not pull off the comeback victory.  A team can pull off a comeback against a depleted San Antonio Spurs team or the Memphis Grizzlies.  Pulling off a comeback victory over the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics is another story.  It is even harder when Paul Pierce scores 28 and Ray Allen puts up 27 on the scoreboard.  The Celtics held off Milwaukee 102-97 in overtime at the Bradley Center.

"We did what we have been doing as of late and that is spot a team too many points," Bucks Head Coach Scott Skiles said.  "I'm pleased we fought back.  Generally though, you fall behind a team like Boston you almost have to play perfectly to win."

The Bucks offense sputtered worse than a broken down Buick through three quarters.  Milwaukee shot 36% through the first 40 minutes and got down by 15 with 1:05 in the third quarter when Brian Scalabrine knocked down a three pointer.  Andrew Bogut and Luke Ridnour were about the only bright spots offensively.  Bogut scored 20 points while Ridnour had 19 points.  Bogut went 8-14 from the field and pulled down nine rebounds as well before being ejected in the fourth quarter as he picked up his second technical foul. 

The call was sort of controversial.  Bogut went up for a layup in the fourth but Kevin Garnett rejected that attempt.  As both were going for the loose ball, arms started to flail which ended with Garnett hitting Bogut in the face.  Whether it was inadvertent or not, the refs went to the tape to determine the severity of the situation.  The officials ruled that not only did Garnett deserve the technical but so did Bogut and that was the end of Bogut's night.

The Bucks suddenly found a way to score points in the final eight minutes.  Milwaukee scored 34 points down the stretch and shot 52% from the field to rally back. 

"We just started getting aggressive," Skiles explained.  "We started driving to the basket.  We spent most of the game passing the ball around the perimeter.  We started driving in there and making some nice passes and plays."

Luc Mbah a Moute led the fourth quarter charge with 10 points and gave the Bucks their first lead since the first quarter with a layup and the foul with 2:58 to go.  The rookie finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Pierce took the lead away as he made two free throws and a three pointer in a matter of 30 seconds.  The Bucks came right back again and tied it at 93 with 1.4 seconds left when Ridnour burned past Allen for a layup. 

"They outworked us I thought in that one stretch," Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers said.  "I thought we got a little tentative.  We got some good looks but I thought we were rushing everything.  I told our team going into overtime that we're supposed to be a great defensive team and every time we needed a stop they scored."

Boston got the stops in overtime as the Celtics held the Bucks to four points in overtime.  At least the Bucks put themselves in a position to win which is minor miracle considering the Bucks shot 37% overall on the night.  The Bucks were also short handed as Michael Redd (sprained ankle) and Charlie Villanueva (left hamstring strain) both sat with injuries.

"We have lapses where we don't play as well and against teams like this they just take full advantage of it," Mbah a Moute said.

The Bucks drop to 5-6 on the season and now head out west to face the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.