Delfino’s Big Shooting Night Helps Bucks Pull Even With Hawks In Series

Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) – Carlos Delfino sank six shots from beyond the arc, on the way to a 22-point night, and Milwaukee pulled even with Atlanta in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with a 111-104 Game 4 triumph at the Bradley Center.

Brandon Jennings scored 23 and John Salmons 22 for the Bucks, who have won the last two games, also coming away with an 18-point win Saturday night.

“I thought we had confidence the whole series, even though we were down two games to none,” Jennings said. “We have to go into Atlanta and try to steal one. We’re not a good playoff team until we win a game on the road.”

It was the 17th loss in the last 18 road playoff games for the Hawks, who were led by Joe Johnson’s 29 points. Jamal Crawford tallied 21 points and Josh Smith chipped in 20 points and nine rebounds in defeat.

“Our defense went the other way with the way we played at home,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “Somehow we have to get our defensive mojo back where we’re defending and running up and down the floor. Come Wednesday, we’ll get that opportunity.”

Game 5 of the best-of-seven set is scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta. The winner of this series will play Orlando, which completed a sweep of Charlotte Monday.

“We haven’t played well there as we have in other buildings,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. “That’s what we need to do. Somehow we have to find a way to go there and get the game.”

Delfino, who had a total of 18 points over the first three games of this series, went 6-of-8 from long range.

The Bucks were able to stave off the Hawks thanks in part to a 28-of-32 effort at the foul line. That included a 13-of-16 performance in the final quarter.

Atlanta’s Maurice Evans nailed a three-pointer to tie the contest at 48 with 1:38 left in the first half, but the Bucks scored the next six and held a 54-50 edge at the break. They pushed the advantage to 72-62 on a Jennings jumper with 4:22 left in the third and moved that to 85-74 going to the fourth following a layup from Dan Gadzuric.

Salmons, who made all 10 of his foul shots, scored eight in the final quarter to help stave off the Hawks.

Johnson’s short jumper had Atlanta within 100-95 with 1:41 to go. Kurt Thomas made 1-of-2 foul shots and then stood his ground as Crawford committed an offensive foul along the right baseline.

Salmons sank eight free throws over the final 65 seconds.

The crowd at the Bradley Center went into a frenzy following an incredible Delfino jam with 2:20 let in the first quarter, and the Bucks held a 28-25 lead after one period.

There was a bit of a scare for the Hawks earlier Monday when the team bus collided with a car shortly after a shootaround session. No one was injured…It was Milwaukee’s 100th home playoff game…Milwaukee, in the playoffs for the first time since 2006, hasn’t made it out of round one since 2001 when the Bucks lost to Philadelphia in the conference finals. Since then, they’ve lost three straight opening-round series…Mike Bibby had 15 points for Atlanta. He went 5-of-7 from three-point range.