Everyone had a hand in on Bucks 'W' vs. Wiz

Published Apr. 2, 2012 9:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

Lacking a true go-to offensive superstar, the Milwaukee Bucks often need several players to perform at a high level in order to win consistently. Monday night in Washington, the Bucks had six players score in double digits as they beat the Wizards, 112-98.

"Everybody contributed; It's our formula," coach Scott Skiles said after the game on FOX Sports Wisconsin. "Everybody did something postive in the game to help us win. Overall good game."

Brandon Jennings led Milwaukee with 19 points and seven assists while Ersan Ilyasova had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Skiles mentioned that Drew Gooden, who played only 21 minutes in the game, has been "nursing a sore lower back," adding that "Drew's back has been bothering him."

Gooden will get treatment on his back Tuesday and Skiles hopes to have him ready to play Wednesday at home against the Cavaliers.

Backup point guard Beno Udrih missed the game with a left hand injury, so Shaun Livingston played 24 minutes off the bench. Livingston finished with 10 points on 5 of 6 shooting, along with four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

"It's been hard for him to get minutes, but he's a good player," Skiles said of Livingston.

Earlier in the season, Livingston had been starting next to Jennings in the backcourt, but with the acquisition of Monta Ellis, Livingston has become the odd man out in the rotation.

The Bucks are now 2.0 games back of the New York Knicks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee's playoff chances increased when it was announced that Knicks point guard sensation Jeremy Lin would miss the remainder of the regular season following knee surgery. Lin's injury is in addition to Amare Stoudemire, who also may not be able to return in the regular season.

The upcoming schedule favors the Bucks, as they head back to Milwaukee for a five-game home stand.

"Every game is the same for us right now," Skiles said. "We need as many wins as we can get. We have not played well enough at home this year. We have to make sure that we take advantage of this spot on our schedule when we're at home and not go home and kind of get lazy laying around at home.

"We have to make sure we go home, take advantage of it, and have good intensity."

The first three of those five home games are against teams with a below .500 record before concluding with what could be a playoff-deciding game against the Knicks.

"It's a big stretch for us," Mike Dunleavy said. "We have to take care of business, no doubt about it. Then we'll see where we're at after that. It'll be a close finish."

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