Sixers fall to Bucks, 110-102

MILWAUKEE - The 76ers fall behind teams so often that if one didn't know better, it might seem like a strategy.

They did so again against Milwaukee on Tuesday night, and predictably, they lost again, falling to the suddenly resurgent Bucks, 110-102, at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

The Sixers lost for the 16th time in 21 games. They trailed 55-47 at halftime, marking the eighth time in nine games that they were behind at the break.

The game was billed as a matchup between prospective all-star reserve Jrue Holiday of the Sixers and the Bucks' Brandon Jennings. Coaches' ballots for the All-Star Game are due in the league office Wednesday at noon.

That battle never really materialized. Jennings, who scored 33 points when the Bucks defeated the Sixers earlier in the season at the Wells Fargo Center, outscored Holiday, 25-9. Holiday struggled from the floor, making just 3 of his 12 field-goal attempts. He did finish with a game-high 12 assists.

Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova was the player who did the most damage to the Sixers, who haven't won back-to-back games in almost seven weeks. Showing some nifty moves around the basket and the ability to hit midrange jumpers, Ilyasova finished with 27 points and 16 rebounds, both game highs.

Evan Turner led the Sixers with 23 points. Spencer Hawes and Nick Young came off the bench to score 21 and 20 points, respectively.

The Sixers (17-25) have lost their last five road games and are 2-13 in their last 15 games away from the Wells Fargo Center. They will play their next eight games at home.

The Bucks (22-18) led from the start and took their largest lead in the third quarter, a 14-point advantage with just under four minutes left in the period.

The Sixers made a push in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 95-90 with just over five minutes to play. That was as close as they would get.

With Jason Richardson not making the trip because of a bothersome knee, 76ers coach Doug Collins went with Royal Ivey opposite Jrue Holiday in the starting lineup.

However, that backcourt did not help the Sixers get out to a quick start.