Milwaukee Bucks' Yi Jianlian, of China, reacts after a slam dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half of a pre-season basketball game Oct. 20, 2007, in Milwaukee. [Photo: sina.com]

Mo Williams scored 20 points and Rookie Yi Jianlian had 15 points as they led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 106-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Milwaukee on Saturday.

For the 14,619 fans in attendance at the Bradley Center, they can lay claim to being witness to a "coming out party" of sorts for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Chinese Yi, the sixth overall selection in the 2007 NBA draft, finished with a strong 15-point, 12-rebound performance, scoring his first double in the NBA.

He shot 6/9 from the field and 3/4 from the line. He looked much more confident than in his four previous games, dunking, blocking shots, and hitting his outside shot for the first time all preseason.

"After training, I feel much more comfortable than before," said Yi through an interpreter. "The training is rigorous and I've improved a lot because of it."

Coach Larry Kryskowiak is tightening his rotation with the regular season drawing near, and with Yi playing 27 minutes all indications are Yi will be getting major minutes early as he continues to improve every day.

Milwaukee Bucks' Yi Jianlian (R) of China battles for the ball with Minnesota Timberwolves' Marko Jaric of Serbia in the first half of a pre-season basketball game Oct. 20, 2007, in Milwaukee. [Photo: sina.com]

The Bucks (3-2) fought through some first half struggles to take control of the game with a 14-0 run to end the first half, and continued with a strong third quarter showing. Completing the victory was the steady hand of Williams, along with Yi and center Andrew Bogut being aggressive toward the basket.

This three man game proved too much for the young and inexperienced Timberwolves. One play in particular shows the Bucks are coming together. Yi scored as the shot-clock buzzer went off from a Mo Williams assist, giving the Bucks a 99-91 lead with 1:37 left in the game.

Williams ended up with 20 points and 12 assist, and high scoring Michael Redd had 18 points to go along with 4 assist, and Desmond Mason scored 14.

More good news as Charlie Villanueva ended up with 11 rebounds and Bobby Simmons 10 points and Andrew Bogut 15 points rounded out a balanced attack that saw six Bucks players score in double figures.

Another bright spot was the Bucks committed only three turnovers in the second half. This must be particularly pleasing to head coach Larry Kryskowiak as Milwaukee had committed 57 turnovers it's last two games.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2007)