Bucks out of playoffs; coach says it's time to think elite

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The Milwaukee Bucks blew a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, and lost their season finale at Indiana 115-108.

Danny Granger hit four three-pointers late in the final period, giving the Pacers a two-point lead with 2:58 to play.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute tied the game with a dunk. But Brandon Rush then hit a three-pointer which put Indiana up for good.

Granger scored 35 for the Pacers, who avoided falling into a last-place tie with Milwaukee in the NBA’s Central Division.

Richard Jefferson scored 31 for the Bucks, who finished at 34-48.

Afterward, Coach Scott Skiles reminded his players that other teams are just starting their seasons in the playoffs and if the Bucks want to be in that group, each player will have to start thinking like an elite athlete, and then jell into an elite team.

He says it will take a tremendous amount of will and effort but that’s what Skiles wants for the Bucks in the near future.

But for now, they’ll be watching the playoffs on TV for the fourth year in a row.

They blew their chance for a possible bid by losing 17 of their final 23 games.

Tags: wisconsin, sports, bucks, indiana, loss