NBA: Bucks snap skid at Lakers' expense

The Milwaukee Bucks had the fresher legs in a battle of teams on the second game of back-to-backs, and they used them to run the Lakers off the court in the latter part of their match, en route to a 113-103 win at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Thursday (Friday, PHL time).

The Bucks, currently the eighth seed out East, snapped a four-game losing skid to improve to 35-36, while the Lakers stumbled to 37-36. They're also in eighth place, but in the Western Conference.

Hey @dallasmavs & @houstonrockets you’re welcome. #MILvLAL

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 29, 2013

The Lakers' loss however closes the gap between them and the Utah Jazz (36-36, half a game behind), and the Dallas Mavericks (35-36, one game behind).

LA forged a slim 56-53 at the break, following free throws by Larry Sanders with a second left in the first half, but an 18-4 run in the third, highlighted by three dunks from Sanders, put Milwaukee up 81-73, with a minute left in the quarter.

Six straight by Antawn Jamison and Dwight Howard allowed the Lakers to retake the lead at the start of the fourth, 83-82, only for back-to-back triples from JJ Redick and Brandon Jennings to put the home team back on top, 90-88 with 8:27 left in the game.

Looking to put this match away, a 14-3 blast by Milwaukee gave them a commanding 104-92 advantage, 4:10 remaining. Kobe Bryant tried to reel his side back, scoring eight of his side's next 11 to make it an eight-point affair, 110-102, but with just 1:10 remaining, charities by Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova settled matters for the Bucks.

Milwaukee out-scored LA 60-47 in the second half.

All five of Milwaukee's starters scored at least 15 points, led by the team-high 21 of Larry Sanders, who added 13 boards and two blocks. Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilsayova chimed in with 20 markers apiece, while Monta Ellis poured in 18.

Ellis and Jennings also combined for 16 of their team's 22 assists.

Steve Nash is back in the training room getting stretched out (hip, back, etc.) by team physical therapist Dr. Judy Seto.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 29, 2013

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Steve Nash had 16 markers, three boards, six assists and two steals, but missed the fourth quarter after being pulled into the training room to get stretched out.

Dwight Howard had 15 points and 15 rebounds, but missed seven fee throws, while Antawn Jamison came off the bench for 13 markers and seven boards.

Turnovers hindered the Lakers as they issued 18 miscues, compared to just 12 by the Bucks. LA nearly compensated with 39 charities, versus just 22 from Milwaukee, but it wasn't enough as the home side shot better from the floor. - AMD, GMA News