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Bucks-Raptors Preview

Jan 21, 2010 - 6:56 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Milwaukee (17-23) at Toronto (21-22), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Despite the best efforts of Chris Bosh, the Toronto Raptors have failed to beat the Milwaukee Bucks this season.

Bosh and the Raptors try to avoid being swept in the season series when they meet the Bucks on Friday night for the second time in three days.

Toronto (21-22) has lost twice to Milwaukee (17-23), falling 113-107 on Wednesday at the Bradley Center. The Raptors will host the final matchup as they try to avoid being swept by the Bucks for the first time since going 0-4 in 2001-02.

Bosh has averaged 35.0 points and 11.0 rebounds against the Bucks, scoring a season-high 44 on Wednesday, but he knows his club needs to improve on defense.

"It's not about offense," Bosh said. "It's about defense. We scored enough points. One-hundred some odd points is enough points. It's about defense. You have to get stops. A team that plays hard like they do, if you give them a second chance, you're probably not going to win."

Milwaukee finished with 52 points in the paint as Andrew Bogut scored 27 on 11-of-14 shooting. Bogut got off to a hot start with eight points in the first 6 minutes.

"They were letting Bogues (Bogut) catch it where he wanted early and he was able to go four for five," coach Scott Skiles said. "As soon as they started trying to get around in front of him and make it a little more difficult, we had a hard time getting it in there."

Milwaukee was ahead by five when Bogut fouled out with 4:11 left. Toronto pulled within one before the Bucks scored the next seven to take command.

"It was gut-check time," Milwaukee guard Charlie Bell said. "When (Bogut) went out of the game, it was time for other guys to step up. We could've easily laid down and said, 'Oh man, we lost because Andrew fouled out.'"

Bogut grabbed 12 boards to help Milwaukee to a 47-40 advantage on the glass. That included a 17-10 edge in offensive rebounds.

"This is a team that's going to score with Bogut down low in the paint, but offensive rebounds, you can't give up (17) offensive rebounds," coach Jay Triano said. "That was the difference in the game."

Bucks guards Brandon Jennings and Carlos Delfino have combined to average 37.0 points in the two wins over the Raptors. Delfino will play in Toronto for the first time since he came off the bench in all 82 games and averaged 9.0 points for the Raptors last season.

Toronto has won seven of its last eight at home while Milwaukee has dropped five of six on the road.

The Bucks got a boost Wednesday from Jerry Stackhouse's debut with the club. The 15-year veteran signed Monday and finished with three points, five rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes.

"I felt good. ... I'm just going to try to ease my way into it," Stackhouse said. "It was a good start and a good win."