Bucks find shooting touch and beat Knicks

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MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Bucks finally found their shooting touch last night, as they crushed the New York Knicks 107-80 at the Bradley Center.

The Bucks came into the game with the NBA’s second-lowest shooting percentage at just under 40. But they blistered the Knicks at a 51-percent clip, while holding New York to just under 38-percent for the night. Milwaukee led by 21 at the half and rolled from there. Seven Bucks scored in double figures, led by Brandon Jennings with 19.

Amare Stoudemire led the Knicks with 19. And he got a technical foul early in the third quarter for a dust-up with Bucks’ center Andrew Bogut. Stoudemire was playing for Phoenix last April when he nudged Bogut and he fell to the floor, putting Bogut out for the season. After the technical, Stoudemire got into a shouting match with the Bucks’ bench – and coach Scott Skiles was among those yelling back. After the game, he said Bogut was fired up and playing physical. Bogut refused to elaborate. Skiles said he never blamed Stoudemire for causing Bogut’s injury – but the coach said he wouldn’t back down when Stoudemire yelled at the bench.

The Bucks’ victory improved their record to 3-5. The Knicks dropped to 3-4. Milwaukee forward Carlos Delfino sat out with a strained neck, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute started in his place. But Mbah a Moute left in the third quarter with a right arm injury. X-rays were negative. The Bucks play at Atlanta tonight.

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