Defense Saves the Bucks

Eight points and five rebounds isn’t exactly what Milwaukee Buck Coach George Karl had in mind when he said he wanted better balance from point guard Sam Cassell.

But it was Cassell’s defense, along with Ray Allen’s offense, that lifted the Bucks to a 2-0 lead over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal.

Allen had 28 points and a career playoff-high nine assists, and Cassell did an outstanding job of defending Baron Davis in the Bucks’ 91-90 victory.

Game 3 is Thursday night at Charlotte.

Davis, who averaged 13.8 points during the season and 19.8 in the first five playoff games, was scoreless in the first half and finished with only four points, all from the line.

Cassell and Karl got into a small tiff this week after the coach said he wanted a better ratio from his point guard, who had four assists and 20 points in Game 1.

“Tell George to put the uniform on,” Cassell retorted.

Cassell, however, limited Davis, who was flustered by Lindsey Hunter when he wasn’t being hounded by Cassell.

“Sam did a good job,” Hunter said. “He’s been doing it all year and we’ve been getting better and better at focusing on defense because we know we can’t get to where we need to go when we’re just offense.

“Tonight, our defense won the game for us.”

Ervin Johnson and Scott Williams also closed off the lanes to Davis, and the Bucks never trailed in winning their 12th straight at the Bradley Center.

David Wesley led the Hornets with 20 points.