(image: Fernando Medina/NBAE via Gerry)
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vs. |
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|---|---|---|
| 31-41 (11-25 road) | 53-18 (28-7) |
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| March 28, 2009 - 6:05 PM CT |
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| Amway Arena |
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| Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FS Wisconsin | ||
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Probable starters: |
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| Ramon Sessions |
PG | Rafer Alston |
| Luc Mbah a Moute |
SG | Courtney Lee |
| Richard Jefferson |
SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Charlie Villanueva |
PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Francisco Elson |
C | Dwight Howard |
| 103.8 (23rd) |
Off | (5th) 107.9 |
| 104.8 (14th) |
Def | (2nd) 98.9 |
| 95.0 (11th) |
Pace | (12th) 94.9 |
| 28.5 (7th) |
OReb | (27th) 24.3 |
| 74.1 (12th) | DReb | (3rd) 75.7 |
08/09 Series:
Nov. 24: @Magic 108 Bucks 101
March 18: Magic 106 @Bucks 80
Injuries
Magic: Jameer Nelson (right shoulder surgery) is out.
Bucks: Michael Redd (torn ACL and MCL) and Andrew Bogut (stress fracture in lower back) are out. Luke Ridnour (back spasms) is questionable.
Three Points
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Different directions. This month has been the best of times and the worst of times for these respective clubs. Orlando has won lost just twice this month, standing 10-2 in March. Included in that span are wins over Phoenix, Utah, Chicago, and a pair of victories over Boston. They are a legitimate title contender, even without starting point guard Jameer Nelson. Meanwhile, Milwaukee has won just twice this month for a 2-8 March mark. Losses to lowly New York and Toronto have stood out. Entering the month in playoff position, the Bucks now appear destined to miss out.
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Hope. Let's review: The Bulls are playing well. The Bucks aren't. Chicago moved up to 7th in the East with a convincing win over Miami last night. There are only a couple weeks left. Milwaukee's final 11 games are rough. They are in Orlando tonight, where they face one of the best teams in basketball and the same club that destroyed the Bucks by 26 just nine days ago. It is plain to see why the Milwaukee Bucks obituary has already been written. But even if a playoff appearance isn't in the cards this Spring, let's not start playing the lottery already. This year's team has been far more fun to watch than last season's version for many reasons. Chief among those reasons is that this club hasn't inspired much pessimism. Generally, the Bucks have played competitively. They are easy to cheer for, so let's keep doing that, and not start worrying about which way the ping pong balls might bounce.
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Tall Threes. Milwaukee (13) and Toronto (12) combined to hit 25 three-pointers on Wednesday. Now the Bucks face the Magic, who lead the NBA in made threes per game, with 10.6. They convert from outside at very strong clip (38.6 %), and Rashard Lewis leads the NBA making 2.7 per game. Interestingly, the team's two foremost threats from deep are both 6'10": Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. As though dealing with Dwight Howard in the paint isn't enough.
Coverage