(My Sportsbook) - Coming into their home-and-home series with the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks were riding a three-game losing streak and on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs go. But the Bucks beat the Heat on back-to- back nights and reclaimed the eighth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.

Milwaukee started things with a 109-87 victory over Miami at the Bradley Center on Sunday.

The Bucks' backcourt was the story, as Sam Cassell finished with 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Gary Payton scored 24 points on 11- of-15 shooting.

The Bucks shot 52 percent from the field, including 9-of-17 from three-point The Bucks shot 52 percent from the field, including 9-of-17 from three-point range, and sank 18-of-20 free throws. The team also outrebounded Miami, 48-28. range, and sank 18-of-20 free throws. The team also outrebounded Miami, 48-28.

Milwaukee got strong production from its bench. Toni Kukoc collected 18 points, seven assists and five boards, and Michael Redd added 14 points, hitting 4-of-7 three-point attempts.

"We only have a couple of weeks left to the season, so we don't have much room for error right now," Redd said after Sunday's win. "Today was a step in the right direction. We just need to develop some sort of consistency. If we can play like this, things will work themselves out."

Things were a little tighter on Monday in Miami, but the Bucks still managed to come away with a 91-86 victory.

Once again Cassell and Payton each reached the 20-point plateau. Payton ended with 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds, while Cassell also scored 20, with 12 coming in the fourth quarter.

A tip-in by Vladimir Stepania put Miami ahead 80-74 late in the fourth quarter, but Cassell buried back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game at 80-80 with 3:24 left. Desmond Mason's jumper put the Bucks ahead 83-82 with 1:04 to go and Milwaukee would not trail again.

Cassell scored again to give the Bucks an 85-82 lead, and after Travis Best cut it to one point with a driving layup, Cassell made two free throws for an 87-84 edge with 21 seconds remaining. The Heat failed to convert on the ensuing possession and the Bucks sealed the win from the free throw line.

With Monday's win, Milwaukee increased its lead for the No. 8 spot to one game over the Washington Wizards, who have the same amount of losses as the Bucks (39).

"We're going to get the eighth spot," Cassell said. "We're not fighting for it, we're going to get the eighth spot. That's a guarantee. The eighth spot is ours to lose. We have it right now. It ain't going to be easy, but nothing worth having comes easy."

The Bucks have a favorable schedule down the stretch, as the team plays five of its last seven games at home.