Bucks Sprint Past Hawks

By the time late in the first quarter when Darvin Ham dunked on Dikembe Mutombo for the second time, the Milwaukee Bucks were well on their way to a blowout victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Ham scored 11 of his 13 points in the first quarter and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds Monday night to help Milwaukee to a 111-78 victory over Atlanta.

"I knew I could do it," said Ham, the Bucks' starting power forward who is mostly known for shattering a backboard for Texas Tech during the NCAA Tournament. "I don't want to sound cocky, but I mean, as high as I can jump and as strong as I finish, it was just matter of time. Luckily I got up quicker than he did. That's how he gets his blocks. He waits until we jump first."

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Sam Cassell scored 21 points to go with 12 assists and Glenn Robinson added 17 points as Milwaukee handed Atlanta its second-worst loss of the season.

"I'm going to burn the tape," Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens said. "I've seen enough of it."

Milwaukee grabbed 51 rebounds and held Atlanta to an NBA season-low 21.

"That was the worst I've ever seen it," Wilkens said. "No one was out there playing. We were nonexistent."

It is the first time in Milwaukee's history that the team swept a season series (4-0) from Atlanta.

The Hawks, who have lost five of six and three straight on the road, were led by Lorenzen Wright's 14 points. Isiah Rider, who did not enter the game until 1:31 remained in the first quarter, added 12 points.

Milwaukee, which had lost 10 of its previous 12 games, got 16 points from Tim Thomas and 13 from Ray Allen.

"It was one of our best games we've played," said Milwaukee coach George Karl. "We played a complete game."

Atlanta's only lead of the game was at 2-0. Behind the spirited play of Ham, who made his fourth straight start, Milwaukee took control.

After finishing the first quarter with a 30-19 lead, the second quarter was much of the same for Milwaukee. Cassell finished with 14 points in the first half and Robinson added 13 for a 58-36 lead at the break.

Notes

Bucks forward Mirsad Turkcan suffered a torn plantar fascia in his right foot and is day-to-day.

Danny Manning was not in uniform for the second straight game. He strained his right knee at New York on March 4 and did not return. He also missed the Minnesota game last Saturday.

The Hawks are now 0-6 on Mondays.

Entering Monday's game, Atlanta's 23-34 record was its worst through 57 games since the 1980-81 season.

Milwaukee's largest margin of victory over Atlanta was a 124-88 decision in 1972.

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