Recap/Box Score

If we can be certain about anything regarding an inconsistent Bucks team through 39 games, it’s that they’ll be putting on a good show at home.

In their first home game in 12 days, the Bucks withstood a career night (44 points) from one of the most discussed players in the league these days, Chris Bosh and for once got the right bounces in the end of a 113-107 home victory Wednesday night.

Sometimes in these few possession games, that’s what it’s all about, a bounce here and a bounce there.  Sure, it’s awfully important for a team to keep it close the rest of the game to give themselves a chance at the end, but once two teams get down to business in the last few minutes, it’s often a flip of a coin that decides who pulls it out and who doesn’t.  To this date, the Bucks haven’t been on the lucky side of the coin very often this year as evidenced by their 3-9 record in games decided by three points or less.

But a pair of offensive rebounds by Ersan Ilyasova, one coming on a one handed snag of a ball seemingly heading out of bounds, and a ball ricocheting off the Raptors out of bounds that eventually led to a Milwaukee basket finally allowed the Bucks to pull this type of game out.  Oh, and the 6-7 performance at the line in the last five minutes didn’t hurt either. Read more…

The Bucks don’t do a lot of back to backing, at least they haven’t yet this year.  After the up-coming couplet with Toronto, the Bucks have double takes with Miami and Washington later on this year.  In the interest of avoiding repetitiveness, this preview is intended to cover the both of the Raptors games.  In reward for your going along with this, I’ll do my best to cook up a fun little feature in lieu of a preview before the Raps game on Friday.

Enjoy.

Milwaukee Bucks (16-23)

(Probable) Inactives: Francisco Elson and Joe Alexander

vs.

Toronto Raptors (21-21)

(Probable) Inactives: Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Reggie Evans

Dates: 1/20/2010 & 1/22/2010

Time: 7:00 (CST) & 6:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin & None (Boooo)

Match-Ups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Jarrett Jack

Jennings is coming off a statistically aesthetically pleasing game against the Rockets.  This is no small feat, as he hasn’t done a lot of fine box score work in the past month or two.   It will be fun to see how he performs against a larger guard coming off a strong game.  Jack checks in at 6′3, 202 pounds and has taken the reigns as the starting point guard in Toronto after the team’s upswing under his guidance with Jose Calderon out for a while in the last two months.  Since the start of December, Jack has been up around 50 percent shooting and hitting nearly 40 percent of his threes.  He also provides more defense than Calderon, who has never been known as a lockdown defender at the point.

Advantage: Bucks Read more…

Toronto Raptors (Jay Triano) 10-13

(Likely) Inactives: Jose Calderon, Reggie Evans and Patrick O’Bryant

at

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 9-11

(Likely) Inactives: Joe Alexander, Francisco Elson and Michael Redd

Date: 12/9/2009

Time: 7:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Match-Ups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Jarrett Jack

Calderon did not make the trip to Milwaukee, so it’ll be Bosh’s buddy Jarrett Jack taking the lead against the Bucks.  The same Jarrett Jack who stopped to tie his shoe during play against Chicago last week.  Chicago didn’t seem to mind though.  Jack is a big strong point guard in the Billups mold, but not so savvy.  He’ll be handful for Jennings, but doesn’t really excel at anything.  He’s not a terrific scorer, isn’t a great shooter and doesn’t get to the line very often.  There’s a reason he’s a backup at this point in his career.  Still, he could give Jennings problems if he forces the issue, but with so many skillful offensive players on the court with him, it’s unlikely he will.

Advantage: Bucks Read more…