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Grizzlies-Bucks Preview

Mar 27, 2010 - 5:36 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Memphis (38-34) at Milwaukee (39-32), 3:00 p.m. EDT

The Milwaukee Bucks are dealing with a rash of injuries as they try to move closer to the playoffs.

It's unclear who will be available for the Bucks when they try to avoid a third straight loss Sunday afternoon against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Milwaukee (39-32) played without Andrew Bogut (sore back) and Ersan Ilyasova (flu) in Friday's 87-74 home loss to Miami. The injury situation got worse when Carlos Delfino was taken from the court on a stretcher after a blow to the head late in the first half.

After driving to the basket for a layup, Delfino stumbled and landed face down in the lane. In the ensuing scramble for the ball, 6-foot-8, 235-pound Heat forward Udonis Haslem jumped up, grabbed the rebound and inadvertently landed on the back of Delfino's head.

The Bucks said Delfino was moving all extremities and went to a hospital for precautionary X-rays on his head and jaw, which came back negative. He is listed as day-to-day.

"We're obviously concerned about Carlos," coach Scott Skiles said. "We'll just keep our fingers crossed, hope he's OK or if there's something wrong, it's very minor and he can be well."

The absences hurt Milwaukee as John Salmons scored 23 points, but the rest of the starters combined for 16. Bogut averages a team-high 15.8 points and Ilyasova contributes 10.2 off the bench.

"We were joking on the bench early on that we had a lot of leg room over there with everyone being out," guard Charlie Bell said. "Then when Carlos went down we just looked at the bench again and we were another man short. That's the way it is, we just have to deal with it the best way we can and guys have to be ready to step up."

Milwaukee is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of the Heat and 1 1/2 in front of Charlotte. The Bucks have missed the playoffs the previous three seasons.

They have won six of their last seven against the Grizzlies (38-34), winning 103-98 on the road Nov. 21. Brandon Jennings scored 26 points as Milwaukee prevailed without an injured Bogut.

Jennings, though, continues to struggle with his shot, making 1 of 8 attempts for four points Friday. He's shooting 26.5 percent (9 for 34) and averaging 6.8 points and 2.5 assists in his last four games.

The rookie point guard is averaging 15.6 points and 5.9 assists for the season.

Memphis is in ninth place in the West and running out of time to try to catch Portland and San Antonio for one of the last two playoff spots. The Grizzlies have not played since a 128-110 road loss to Golden State on Wednesday.

"We feel that every game from here on out we have to come with the purpose that it is a playoff game," guard Mike Conley said. "We've got to win these games to have an opportunity. We let this one slip away."

Rudy Gay scored 25 points and O.J. Mayo added 21 for the Grizzlies, who allowed their second-highest point total this season.