• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Boykins expected to make debut with Bucks vs. 76ers

Jan 12, 2007 - 2:43 PM Milwaukee (16-19) at Philadelphia (9-26) 7:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - With their top two scorers sidelined with injuries, the Milwaukee Bucks have made a move to help bolster their offense.

Guard Earl Boykins is expected to make his debut for the Bucks, who attempt to end their four-game losing streak in Friday's encounter with the struggling Philadelphia 76ers.

Milwaukee acquired Boykins, swingman Julius Hodge and cash from the Denver Nuggets on Thursday for guard Steve Blake. The Bucks made the deal after recently losing Michael Redd to a knee injury and Mo Williams to a sprained shoulder.

The 5-5 Boykins averaged 15.2 points and 4.3 assists in 31 games for the Nuggets this season, including a 26-point outing against Milwaukee on Monday. He ranks among the league leaders in free throw shooting percentage (90.8).

The Bucks are coming off Wednesday's 90-77 defeat to the Toronto Raptors. Andrew Bogut scored 17 points and grabbed 18 rebounds and Ruben Patterson added 17 points.

Philadelphia also has dropped its last four outings and is playing its first game since waiving Chris Webber, who agreed to a buyout of his contract. The five-time All-Star averaged 11.0 points and 8.3 rebounds this season.

The 76ers are coming off Wednesday's 106-99 loss to the New York Knicks. Samuel Dalembert scored 18 points, Joe Smith added 16 and Kyle Korver 14 for Philadelphia.

Milwaukee received 32 points from Redd and and 18 from Patterson in a 98-94 triumph over Philadelphia in their last meeting November 22.