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Bucks-Heat Preview

Feb 26, 2010 - 9:28 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Milwaukee (29-28) at Miami (29-29), 3:30 p.m. EDT

The Milwaukee Bucks had little trouble beating the Miami Heat twice already this season. It may be even easier to get a third victory if Dwyane Wade remains out of the lineup.

Wade could miss a fourth straight game Saturday when the Bucks visit Miami, looking to win six straight for the first time in three years.

Milwaukee (29-28) has won a season-high five straight, boosted by the addition of John Salmons in a trade last week with Chicago. The Bucks haven't won six in a row since Dec. 16-27, 2006, and they'll also be looking on Saturday to win consecutive games in Miami during the same season for the first time since 2003.

They have defeated the Heat (29-29) by double digits in both meetings this season, including a 97-81 victory in Miami on Feb. 1. The Heat have shot 36.8 percent in the two games, averaging 82.5 points despite getting 22.0 per contest from Wade.

The All-Star MVP has been getting treatment for a strained calf, but coach Erik Spoelstra said Wade is weak and is uncertain when the superstar will return.

Without him Tuesday, Miami lost 91-88 to last-place Minnesota. Dorell Wright scored 26 points and Jermaine O'Neal added 18, but the Heat were held to 15 points in the opening quarter, shooting 6 of 18.

"We just can't start off lackadaisical and get down by 17 points in the first half and expect to climb back when we decide to play," said Michael Beasley, who finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. "Collectively as a team, there was no energy, no passion. We just didn't come tonight."

Miami has dropped a half-game behind Milwaukee into eighth place in the Eastern Conference with ninth-place Charlotte close behind.

Even with Wade, who averages 26.1 points, Miami is one of the lowest scoring teams in the NBA at 96.4 points per game, but in their last 12 games that ended in regulation, the Heat are averaging 91.7 points.

Although Beasley finished in double figures for a fifth straight game Tuesday, he shot 27.8 percent from the floor and is a combined 8 for 29 (27.5 percent) the last two games.

Beasley has not had much success against Milwaukee. He sat out the first contest between the teams and then scored 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting on Feb. 1.

The Bucks, meanwhile, have had little trouble scoring the last two games, topping 110 points in each contest. They defeated Indiana 112-110 on Thursday.

Salmons scored 20 points to lead seven players in double figures. The Bucks had a 16-point lead before Indiana rallied, but Milwaukee held on with Salmons hitting two free throws to push the lead to 110-106.

Salmons has averaged 18.2 points since joining the Bucks, who are 5-0 with him in the lineup.

"He's brought a scoring punch," Andrew Bogut said. "Obviously with Michael Redd out, we need someone to come and get some points for us. He's a proven scorer in the NBA and he's done a hell of a job."

While Bogut was complimentary of Salmons, the 7-foot center has also been playing very well for Milwaukee during its winning streak, averaging 19.0 points and 13.6 rebounds. Bogut was an important part of the Bucks' wins over Miami, averaging 19.5 points and 13.0 rebounds.