Bobcats lose

Published 12:00 am Monday, January 15, 2007

By Mike Cranston

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — Earl Boykins and Andrew Bogut clicked in a hurry.

Boykins, in his second game with Milwaukee, scored 30 points and Bogut added a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead the banged-up Bucks over the Charlotte Bobcats 99-91 Monday afternoon.

The Bucks, minus four starters, snapped a five-game losing streak behind the 5-foot-5 Boykins, acquired from Denver last week.

“He’s easy to read,” said the 7-foot Bogut, who shot a career-best 12-for-15. “Guys think he’s little so he’s not going to get into the lane, but he gets in the lane and he’ll kick it out if he’s doubled. It’s pretty easy basketball after that.”

Boykins and Bogut made it look simple down the stretch as the Bucks rallied after blowing a 12-point third-quarter lead.

Boykins’ 3-pointer with 4 minutes left snapped a tie and put Milwaukee ahead to stay. Bogut’s shot in the lane with 1:46 left gave the Bucks a 94-88 lead and Boykins’ two free throws with 30 seconds left put it away.

Boykins had 11 points and 11 assists in his first game with the Bucks, a 110-97 loss to Philadelphia last Friday, but shot 5-for-14. He was more assertive against Charlotte.

“I think he was a little reluctant in Philly to try and score too much,” Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said. “We needed his points.”

Matt Carroll scored 22 points, all but two in the first half, for Charlotte. Emeka Okafor added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Bobcats, who were trying to match a franchise record with their fourth straight win.

But Charlotte was done in by 40 percent shooting, with Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison combining to shoot 9-for-30.