A strong second quarter and 32 points by Paul Pierce helped the Boston Celtics snap their 18 game losing streak on Wednesday night, beating the Milwaukee Bucks by 20, 117-97, at home.

After getting down early, the Celtics outscored the Bucks 39-22 in the second quarter, and then 31-20 in the third to set up the win.

The Bucks have lost 20 of its last 24 games and won't have its own star, Michael Redd, back until after the All-Star Break.

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Larry Harris announced today that the team has reassigned rookie forward Damir Markota to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.  It is the second time this season that Markota has been assigned to the Bucks D-League affiliate.

?The recent injuries to Dan Gadzuric and Brian Skinner caused us to recall Damir after playing just one game in Tulsa,? said Harris.  ?Our frontcourt depth has improved with Brian getting healthier and the addition of Jared Reiner.  With that, we felt it was appropriate to re-assign Damir to Tulsa to get the opportunity to play in game situations and further develop his skills,? Harris added.

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Sioux Falls Skyforce center Jared Reiner to a 10-day contract, General Manager Larry Harris announced today.  Reiner is expected to be in uniform tonight as the Bucks take on the Hornets in Oklahoma City.

Reiner, who was named to the NBA Development League Eastern Division All-Star Team this week, has appeared and started in 28 games for the Skyforce this season, averaging 13.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.9 minutes per game.  He ranks fourth among active players in the D-League in rebounds per game. He led his University of Iowa team in rebounding (8.3 pg) as a junior before missing a substantial portion of his senior season due to injury.

The Milwaukee Bucks waived forward Julius Hodge and recalled forward Damir Markota from the NBA Development League on Wednesday.

Bucks center Dan Gadzuric will be forced to miss six weeks after he dislocated his left shoulder on Saturday night.

Gadzuric has been averaging 13 minutes per game for Milwaukee.

Dwyane Wade heard raucous chants of "MVP," had a mountain of memorabilia to sign and saw his picture hanging high above the court.

Wade capped his special weekend with another brilliant performance in the Bradley Center with 32 points and 11 assists, and Jason Kapono added a career-high 28 points to lead the Heat over the Bucks 117-98 on Saturday night.

"It was great," Wade said. "Marquette won, the Heat won and I got my jersey retired."

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Larry Harris announced today that the team has assigned rookie forward Damir Markota to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.  Tulsa is led by Head Coach Joey Meyer and has served as the Bucks
D-League affiliate since the 2005-06 season.

?Damir is a young player who will get the opportunity to play and further develop his skills in Tulsa,? said Harris.
 
?Last year, Ersan Ilyasova made significant progress in Tulsa and we think Damir will benefit as well. Being assigned to the Development League will give Damir invaluable time on the court under game conditions that he wouldn?t necessarily receive in Milwaukee.?