What a difference a night makes.

 

As 18,717 frenzied fans welcomed the Bucks to their 40th home opener, the Bucks (1-2) dug in and refused to lose on Saturday by beating Bulls 78-72.

 

All-Star Michael Redd scored game-high 27 points, and rookie draft pick Yi Jianlian added 8 points in the 3rd quarter, as the Bucks stayed in the game through a tough stretch that saw Milwaukee shoot just 2 for 18 from the field.

 

But the stellar play of Redd and Yi kept Milwaukee in it as Redd hit a couple of 3 pointers, and Yi was making outside jump shots. He also dunked on an in bounds play, and made all 4 of his FT's, grabbed 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals and scored a career high 16 points in 33 minutes of action. He also had 3 personal fouls.

 

With starting center Andrew Bogut in foul trouble all night, the Bucks lived and died with the jump shot. In addition, tonight they also brought their lunch pale and hard hats and beat the Bulls at their own game.

 

The Bucks out-rebounded Chicago 4745, and held them to 35 percent in shooting.

 

Charlie Bell was the only other Bucks player in double figures as he scored 11 points. Ben Gordon led three Chicago players in double figures with 15.

 

Next up for the Bucks are the Toronto Raptors and Power Forward Chris Bosh when they square off at the Bradley Center on November 6.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2007)