Salmons supercharges Bucks' playoffs run

Denver — John Salmons had to be a tired man after playing 92 minutes on back-to-back nights during the weekend.

But all Salmons' work and perspiration was worth it as he helped the Milwaukee Bucks to a pair of satisfying victories, a double-overtime thriller at Sacramento on Friday night and a gritty decision in Denver on Saturday night.

Salmons' impact on the Bucks' fortunes is nothing short of amazing. Since his arrival at the trade deadline in February, Milwaukee has rolled to a 14-2 record and vaulted into the fifth playoff position in the Eastern Conference with a 38-30 overall mark.

The 6-foot-6 veteran provided more evidence of the "Salmons effect" with his play in the crucial stages against the Kings and Nuggets.

In the final minute of regulation in Sacramento, he sank 2 three-point shots, one coming off a double screen that the Bucks executed perfectly following a timeout. Then he grabbed two offensive rebounds and converted baskets in the first overtime period, and he finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists while playing a game-high 53 minutes in the Bucks' 114-108 victory.

What to do for an encore?

Well, how about taking a defensive turn on Denver all-star Carmelo Anthony and getting to the free throw line in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks seal a 102-97 victory, snapping the Nuggets' seven-game home winning streak.

Salmons ended with 26 points, four assists and three rebounds, and he was 9 of 9 at the foul line, including 6 of 6 in the fourth quarter.

"We knew we were under a lot of adversity, but we tried to forget about that and come out and play hard," Salmons said after the Bucks persevered in the second game of a difficult back-to-back set.

Denver point guard Chauncey Billups repeatedly drove into the Bucks defense and was 17 of 17 at the free throw line, and Salmons decided to work the same strategy as Milwaukee protected a narrow lead late in the game.

"Billups, he got to the line all night," Salmons said. "I was just trying to be aggressive, trying to mix it up with jump shots and taking it to the rim. It was just working for me."

Salmons didn't have an easy task when he drove the ball against the Nuggets' athletic front line, including shot-blocker supreme Chris Andersen (a.k.a. The Birdman).

"He was all over me," Salmons said. "Every time I went to the hole he was right there. He makes it tough on everybody; he's a good defensive player."

The only losses the Bucks have suffered with Salmons in the lineup were an overtime defeat in Atlanta on Feb. 28 and a loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles to start last week's road swing.

It's a stretch that began with a narrow victory in Detroit on Feb. 19. Without even having a practice with the team, Salmons scored a decisive three-point basket that night when he calmly fired a shot over the charging Ben Wallace.

And the success has continued for the past four weeks as Salmons has fit perfectly into the Bucks lineup and meshed with his teammates.
Now the Bucks will try to keep their run going as they return to start a five-game home stand, beginning Monday night against Atlanta.

It seemed unlikely Salmons could make the kind of impact he did in Chicago last season after he arrived at the February deadline in a deal with Sacramento. The Bulls were five games under .500 when he and Brad Miller came in the trade, but they helped lift Chicago to a 41-41 mark and a playoff berth.

Salmons averaged 18.3 points in 26 games with the Bulls at the end of the season, including 21 starts. So far with the Bucks, he has started 14 of 16 games and is averaging 19.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

The Bulls wanted to clear salary space to make a bid for an elite free agent in the summer, and they may land one. But they have plummeted since the trade with their division rival and fallen out of the top eight in the East.

The Bucks also received two future second-round picks from Chicago in the trade and the right to switch first-round picks with the Bulls this year if Chicago's pick is not in the top 10 of the draft. If the Bulls do not reach the playoffs but finish anywhere in the 11th through 14th spots, the Bucks will get a 2010 lottery pick out of the trade.

Salmons, 30, is playing so well now that he is putting himself in good position for the off-season. He has a $5.8 million player option for next season but may choose to test the free-agent market, and the Bucks clearly would like to have him back.

"When we were talking about making a move, we looked at him, and still do, as just a good, all-around pro guard," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. "He can post up a little bit. He shoots the ball well enough. He can put it on the floor and get to the rim. He can dish it if necessary. He's a solid defender.

"He's a professional and has a real calm demeanor out there, and that has helped our guys."



(jsonline.com)