BUCKS 112, WIZARDS 98: Brandon Jennings scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and added seven assists and six rebounds as Milwaukee gained ground in the Eastern Conference.

Monta Ellis added 17 points and six assists and Ersan Ilyasova contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, who pulled within two games of the idle New York Knicks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

Milwaukee had dropped three of four entering Monday but got off to a quick start against the lowly Wizards, getting eight points from Ellis during a 20-6 burst to close the first quarter.

The Bucks did not trail the rest of the way and extended the lead out to 15 points early in the second quarter as the bench got into the flow. Mike Dunleavy and Ekpe Udoh led the reserves, with Dunleavy totaling 17 points and Udoh recording 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Washington would draw within a basket in the third quarter before Jennings woke up. The Bucks guard scored six points and handed out two assists during a 10-0 burst.

Dunleavy and Udoh sparked another run in the fourth quarter, combining for 11 points during a 21-7 spurt that put the game away.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Jordan Crawford scored 23 points and John Wall recorded 14 points and nine assists to lead the Wizards … Washington has dropped seven of its last eight. ... The Wizards were without center Nene (foot) and forward Trevor Booker (foot). … Milwaukee dominated the glass 48-35.