NBA: Bucks bash Bobcats 131-102

Los Angeles Lakers’ Steve Nash, left, reaches in on Milwaukee Bucks’ Monta Ellis during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Milwaukee. AP

MILWAUKEE – Monta Ellis finished with 19 points, 14 assists and six steals as the Milwaukee Bucks crushed the Charlotte Bobcats 131-102 on Monday at the Bradley Center arena.

Larry Sanders had a NBA career-best 24 points while grabbing 13 rebounds, six of which came at the offensive end for the Bucks. Ersan Ilyasova and Brandon Jennings netted 22 and 19 points, respectively, while J.J. Redick came off the bench to chip in 20 points.

Milwaukee remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and trail the Boston Celtics by 1 1/2 games. The last time the Bucks reached 131 points was 1986.

Kemba Walker scored a game-high 27 points on eight-of-11 shooting from the field for Charlotte, who have dropped five of its last six games.

Tyrus Thomas scored 13 points off the bench in his first game since February 6 while Gerald Henderson scored 17 points in the loss.