PLAY OF THE GAME: Late in the third quarter, Dwight Howard spun baseline from the low post, took an alley-oop pass from Turkoglu and, with his elbows at rim level, dunked to give Orlando an 85-72 lead.

STATISTICS SHEET: Orlando made 38 of 54 free throws. Milwaukee made 17 of 21 free throws. "On the nights when we don't have it defensively and aren't moving our feet well, are the nights that we foul," said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. "Some people might think you're being overly aggressive, but it's because you're a step slow and you're grabbing people."

OFF THE BENCH: Skiles turned to Dan Gadzuric and Malik Allen to man the center spot after Andrew Bogut went out early in the third quarter with a knee injury that he suffered in the first half. "I tried to be an idiot and play (in the second half)," said Bogut. The extent of the injury was not known after the game. Bogut called it a bruise.

COMING UP

TEAMS: Bucks (7-9) vs. Atlanta Hawks (8-5).

WHEN: 6 p.m., Wednesday.

WHERE: Philips Arena.

BROADCASTS: TV - FSN. Radio - AM-620.

NOTEBOOK

ON THE ROAD: Even though this is a difficult trip opponent-wise, the Bucks are enjoying the luxury of having a day off in between games. That's something they didn't experience much when they played four games in five nights in each of the last two weeks. The Bucks won't play on consecutive nights again until they play at Detroit on Friday and at home against Cleveland on Saturday. That will be their eighth set of back-to-back games this month.

"This is a tough trip," said Skiles. "But at least now we have a game, a day (off), a game, a day. We can not only get some rest but maybe even get in a practice. We haven't had a legit practice in quite awhile."

ON THE PINE: Point guard Luke Ridnour was on the inactive list for Monday's game because of the knee injury he suffered in Charlotte on Saturday night. Skiles called the injury an abrasion, adding that he thought Ridnour would only miss one game.

ON THE ROAD II: Monday's game was the Bucks' 10th road game of the season. This is the first time their 10th road game came as early as the 16th game overall since 1986. Monday's game was only the second of the season that wasn't part of a back-to-back situation.

Tom Enlund

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