Charlie and Mike recap the Mavs win
 | vs. |  |
|---|---|---|
| 25-16 (16-4 home) | 21-24 (9-17 road) | |
| January 23, 2009 - 6:30PM CT | ||
| Phillips Arena | ||
| Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FS Wisconsin | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Mike Bibby | PG | Luke Ridnour |
| Joe Johnson | SG | Mike Redd |
| Mo Evans | SF | Richard Jefferson |
| Josh Smith | PF | Charlie Villanueva |
| Zaza Pachulia | C | Dan Gadzuric* |
| 109.3 (10th) | Off | 107.1 (16th) |
| 107.5 (16th) | Def | 106.2 (12th) |
| 89.6 (24th) | Pace | 91.4 (14th) |
| 26.0% (19th) | OReb | 29.5% (4th) |
| 71.4% (27th) | DReb | 74.4% (9th) |
08/09 Series:
Nov 26: @Hawks 102, Bucks 96
Injuries
Bucks: Andrew Bogut missed the three game road trip and is out with back spasms. Charlie Bell is out with lingering ankle soreness.
Hawks: Al Horford is out with a knee bruise. Marvin Williams is day-to-day with a concussion, having missed the last two games. Acie Law (quad) and Speedy Claxton (knee) are also out.
Three Points
-
Injuries. When these teams met the first time Bogut was out for the Bucks and Josh Smith was missing for Atlanta. This time around Bogut is out again while Smith is back--but Al Horford and Marvin Williams are expected to be in street clothes. Missing two starters didn't prevent the Hawks from knocking off the Raps and Bulls on back-to-back nights earlier this week, as Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, and Smith helped Atlanta snap a skid in which they'd lost five of six.
As for Bogut, Ted Davis noted in his podcast today that the Bucks hope Bogut might return on Monday when the Bucks host Minnesota. -
Josh and Chuck. At PF we should see a matchup of two of the more unique 4's in the league. After missing much of November, Smith is averaging 19.3 ppg and 7.4 rpg this month. But he's also blocked just seven shots in 10 games and made 56% of his free throws, well off his usual averages. As always, a key for the Bucks will be keeping him on the perimeter, where he continues to show a misplaced willingness to shoot. Smith's a 26% career shooter from three and is making just 24% of his attempts this season, but he's still taking almost two shots a game from back there. Know your role, Josh.
Charlie V has been known to fall in love with his jump shot, too, but this month it's been paying off. In 28 mpg in January, CV is putting up 18.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg while shooting .503/.429/.795, helping the Bucks stay afloat while Bogut continues to miss time. In the process he's worked his way back into the starting lineup, too. - Home cooking. Atlanta's lack of home support has always been something of an NBA punchline, but Bucks fans can't talk as much trash anymore. The Hawks overtook the Bucks last season in attendance and are maintaining a modest edge this year as well, though the fact that Atlanta dwarfs Milwaukee can't be discounted either. It's showing up on the court, too, as the Hawks are a robust 16-4 at Phillips Arena this season.
Links
Bucks.com / Ted Davis Audio Preview / Peachtree Hoops / Hawks BasketBlog