Hornets stung by Bucks again

Tempers fray in the heat of the play-offs

Milwaukee Bucks 91-90 Charlotte Hornets

Ray Allen scored 28 points as the Milwaukee Bucks produced an identikit performance to Game One to edge the Charlotte Hornets 91-90.

The Bucks now take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

But this time the Bucks received some help from Hornets forward Derrick Coleman and coach Paul Silas in a bizarre finish.

With 8:31 remaining and Milwaukee holding a 77-68 lead, Coleman spoke with referee Dan Crawford before walking off the court and heading straight to the locker room with a lower back strain.

However, Charlotte inbounded without substituting and received a technical foul for not having enough players on the court.

It did not seem to matter until Charlotte stormed back with a late surge. Jumpers by Elden Campbell and PJ Brown around a miss by Allen made it 91-90 with 27 seconds to go.

The Hornets should have fouled to regain possession after Milwaukee free-throws, but Silas chose not to, and time ran out on Charlotte's chances.