Charlie Villanueva had a double-double scoring 21 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists, and Michael Redd had 19 points and 7 assists, but it wasn't enough as the hosts Denver Nuggets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time in eight days, 114-102.

Rookie power forward Yi Jianlian from China started again on Tuesday for Milwaukee, playing 24 minutes and scoring 12 points and nabbing 3 rebounds. Yi shot 4/6 from the field and hit free throws. Yi also hit his only three-point shot of the night.

The fire works started taking off in the second quarter as the two teams combined for 71 points in the second quarter prior to intermission.

In the third quarter things got ugly. Bucks head coach Larry Kryskowiak disputed a call against point guard Mo Williams, resulting in a technical foul. Soon afterward Bucks' Desmond Mason got in on the act and was called for a technical as well. By then a ticked off Mo Williams began complaining louder, costing the team two more technicals, leading to the ejection of Williams from the game, and the Bucks without their starting point guard with a quarter (plus) to go.

In all, four technicals were called and Allen Iverson made 5/6 of the free throws.

At the 6:39 mark of the fourth quarter the Bucks trailed 93-92, and had three chances to take the lead but were unable to because of Desmond Mason's missed free throw's and a Charlie V missed 3 point shot.

The Bucks are still a work in progress, particularly defensively. The Nuggets maintained over 50% shooting throughout the entire game, until the very end, finishing 36/74 (48.6%).
On one play in particular, Yi and Martin scrambled for the ball, and an inadvertent elbow from Yi hit Martin on top of his head, forcing him (Martin) to leave the game before returning a few minutes later.

Milwaukee also got a scare when center Bogut hurt his wrist mid way through the third quarter. X-Rays were good, so he is listed day to day and should be ready for the season opener.

The Bucks will continue their preseason schedule by playing Ben Wallace and the Chicago Bulls at Chicago on the Thursday Oct. 25, before concluding the preseason on Friday, Oct. 26 at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2007)