Bucks stung by Hornets turnaround

Ray Allen (l) and Elden Campbell in action in game four

The Charlotte Hornets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 94-86, a third straight win, to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-final.

The Hornets are now just one win away from clinching the best-of-seven series, and they return home, where they have not lost in the play-offs this season, for game six on Thursday.

For the Bucks it was their first three-game losing streak in six months as they shot just 37%.

Jamal Mashburn had 24 points and Baron Davis hit five three-pointers.

"I really like our chances right now. We're playing solid basketball," said Hornets coach Paul Silas.

Critical role

Asked about the difference between the two teams, Silas said the Hornets connected from long range and "made the big shots when they made a run."

Mashburn said: "We stepped out. They are hard to stop at 86 points."

He added the Hornets had to perform well in the next game because "they are going to come out firing."

He said that the Hornets defence had played a critical role in the win.

Milwaukee won the first two games at home, but lost two in Charlotte and fell again at home.

It was the first time the Bucks had lost three-in-a-row since dropping four straight from 18-25 November.

Milwaukee was just one of four teams to average more than 100 points during the regular season, but they have averaged only 85.3 during their three-game losing streak.