Bucks vs. Rockets preview: Harden, Rockets visit Milwaukee for second game of homestand

The second of a five-game homestand begins Monday evening as the Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Houston Rockets to the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Bucks update

The Bucks didn't open the stretch in ideal fashion by losing to the Detroit Pistons — a team they need to hurdle in the Eastern Conference — on Saturday. Detroit made 12 3-pointers (11 in the first half), moved the ball well and capitalized on 21 Bucks turnovers to move over .500 on the season. Five Pistons finished in double-figures, led by Reggie Jackson's 22 points and eight assists. Marcus Morris hit three of those 12 triples and finished with 20 points, while Andre Drummond notched 15 points and 17 rebounds. For the Bucks, Khris Middleton was the only bright spot, leading the way with 26.

The Bucks announced earlier today that forward Damien Inglis will return to the team after his second stint in the D-League. The move adds depth to the Bucks bench after Steve Novak was ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a sprained MCL. Novak took an unexpected low hit from Jackson in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game but remained positive when we spoke with him in the locker room.

"It's my 10th year and I've never been hurt, so I'll take that." Novak said. "I had to get hurt at some point.

"It's something I can come back from."

Injury report: Jerryd Bayless (sprained knee) will play tonight after missing the past five games, while Michael Carter-Williams will sit out due to patella tendinitis.

Rockets update

While the Bucks enter Monday's game on a favorable home stretch, six of Houston's last seven have been on the road.

The Rockets enter Milwaukee following a 104-94 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.  James Harden led Houston with 27 points, but the Rockets couldn't handle San Antonio's duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard, who combined to score 53 points and pull down 24 of the Spurs' 43 total rebounds. It also didn't help that Houston's starters not named Harden went just 11-for-34 from the field.

Wisconsin native and Badgers alum Sam Dekker is on Houston's active roster tonight after battling a back injury and appearing in the D-League during his rookie season. Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before the game he's not sure if he will actually suit up tonight.

On the Rockets: The Dream Shake | Houston Chronicle

15/16 NBA Season
(24-35, 16-10 home)	vs.	(29-30, 13-16 road)
February 29, 2016
BMO Harris Bradley Center | Milwaukee, WI
7:00 CT
Fox Sports Wisconsin | 620 WTMJ
Probable Starters
O.J. Mayo	PG	Patrick Beverley
Khris Middleton	SG	James Harden
Jabari Parker	SF	Trevor Ariza
Giannis Antetokounmpo	PF	Josh Smith
Miles Plumlee	C	Dwight Howard
2015/16 Advanced Stats
94.2 (24th)	Pace	97.3 (7th)
103.8 (25th)	ORtg	107.2 (8th)
108.4 (23rd)	DRtg	108.6 (25th)