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Bucks-Jazz Preview

Jan 16, 2010 - 5:22 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Milwaukee (16-21) at Utah (22-17), 9:00 p.m. EDT

Utah signed Sundiata Gaines to a 10-day contract after Deron Williams hurt his wrist last week, and the rookie showed his value in a big way after the star point guard got re-injured.

Gaines may need to step up again if Williams misses time.

The Jazz look to match their longest winning streak of the season, and notch their eighth straight home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Williams is a game-time decision after re-aggravating the injury and leaving in the fourth quarter Thursday against Cleveland. He played a season-low 19 minutes, finishing with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting and five assists.

Williams missed two games last week after first suffering the injury. Utah split the home-and-home set with Memphis.

Despite losing their top scorer and shooting only 40.5 percent as a team, the Jazz (22-17) got a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer from Gaines in the 97-96 victory, Utah's third straight.

It was the first career 3 for Gaines, who was playing in his fifth NBA game after joining Utah on Jan. 5.

"I knew if I caught the ball I was going for the win," said Gaines, who had nine points - all in the final quarter. "Once it left my hand it felt good."

Gaines, who had scored 12 points in his previous four appearances, was signed to a second 10-day contract on Friday.

"He has a little swag in him and believes in himself," said Carlos Boozer, who finished with 19 points. "I tell you what, he made us believe in him too."

Utah hasn't won four straight since Nov. 26-Dec. 4, but it's also won three in a row at home to improve to 15-6 at EnergySolutions Arena.

Milwaukee comes in having snapped a three-game losing streak with a 113-104 win over Golden State on Friday. Rookie Brandon Jennings scored 25 points to lead seven players in double figures as the Bucks took advantage of a short-handed Warriors team.

"We have our own injuries and problems to deal with. A win's a win in the NBA whether it's against the Lakers or the Warriors," said Andrew Bogut, who had 15 points and 16 rebounds.

Jennings, who scored a franchise rookie record 55 points in his first game against the Warriors in November, shot 7 of 16 from the floor and had four steals Friday. He hit a 3-pointer to give the Bucks a 108-102 lead after they trailed by as many as 13 points.

It was the kind of performance the Bucks (16-21) were looking for from Jennings after losing Michael Redd to a season-ending knee injury last weekend. Jennings had scored a combined 26 points on 31.0 percent over the previous two games.

The win was Milwaukee's fifth in 19 road games this season. The Bucks have averaged 107.3 points in their last three road games, up from 90.5 in their first 16 away from home.

However, Milwaukee hasn't defeated the Jazz in Utah since a 119-112 overtime win in 2001, averaging 88.3 points in seven losses since.