by TOM ENLUND, Staff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Updated: December 4, 2008, 7:50 PM EST

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It was a winning formula for the Milwaukee Bucks, who snapped a four-game losing streak with a 97-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.

The Bucks have been home for almost a week now - an eternity by this season's standards - and heading into the game had three days without a game, which they turned into two practice days and one day off. And, guard Michael Redd and center Andrew Bogut returned to the starting lineup, leading to some semblance of a regular rotation.

Other than a third-quarter lull, it was a pretty good night all around for the Bucks.

"We were active," said Redd, who scored 13 points in 26 minutes. "Just trying to run as much as we could and be physical with them. I'm sure it helped (being home for a few days). No question. Practice was great. We worked on some things defensively and offensively. And I think it showed tonight. Being at home and getting a couple days rest. I think it made a difference."

Guard Luke Ridnour, who passed for 10 assists in 41 minutes said: "It felt good to get a couple days with no games. We've had it pretty rough with the schedule so just to have nice energy helped."

There were plenty of contributors for the Bucks.

Charlie Villanueva came off the bench to lead the Bucks with 23 points and added 10 rebounds. He scored 10 points in the second quarter as the Bucks turned a one-point deficit after one quarter into a 12-point halftime lead. He also scored 11 in the fourth quarter, including one stretch of nine straight.

Richard Jefferson got to the foul line often and scored 14 of his 21 points in the second quarter. Backup center Dan Gadzuric was the Bucks' energizer, finishing with 11 points and 14 rebounds in 22 minutes. He sparked the Bucks' second-quarter rally and then played the entire fourth quarter after Bogut was hit in the face and couldn't finish because, according to coach Scott Skiles, he got a migraine headache. Bogut, returning after missing three games with a knee injury, had five points and four rebounds in 27 minutes.

"We had a couple days of, not rest, but a couple days at home," Villanueva said. "And they were playing a back-to-back so we had an advantage in that aspect. All that traveling can take a toll on you. And now, everyone is pretty much healthy and finally we can have a rotation. Things are looking good. We can turn this thing around."

The Bucks trailed by one point after one quarter but scored the first nine points of the second quarter, led by as many as 13 and held a 54-42 lead at halftime. The Bucks shot 52.5% in the first half and had 13 assists on 21 baskets. Milwaukee extended its lead to 15 in the third quarter before the Bulls scored nine straight to cut the lead to 71-68 with 1:55 left.

The Bucks led after three quarters, 76-72, but a layup by Jefferson, followed by a jumper each by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Villanueva opened the fourth. Nine straight points by Villanueva pushed the Bucks' lead to 91-77 with 5:45 left. The Bulls made one late run as a three-point play by Derrick Rose cut the lead to 93-88 with 1:56 left but Gadzuric made two free throws with 1:09 left and the Bucks held on from there.

"We had a very good first half," Skiles said. "We came out in the third and were a little flat again, especially on the defensive end, but we were able to hold them off. We had a lot of guys contribute."

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