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Nets-Bucks Preview

Apr 7, 2010 - 5:53 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

New Jersey (11-66) at Milwaukee (42-34), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Even without arguably their best player, the Milwaukee Bucks are confident they can finish the regular season on a positive note and gain some momentum heading into the playoffs.

After clinching their first postseason berth in four years, the Bucks try for a fifth straight victory over the lowly New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.

John Salmons scored 26 points against his former team as Milwaukee (43-34) won 79-74 at Chicago on Tuesday to clinch its first playoff appearance since 2006. The Bucks are tied with Miami for fifth in the Eastern Conference.

"We got that out of the way. We're in there. It feels good to clinch a spot," Salmons said.

Tuesday's contest was Milwaukee's first since center Andrew Bogut suffered various injuries after a hard fall during a 107-98 home win over Phoenix on Saturday.

A former No. 1 overall pick, Bogut averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game during a breakout season, but is expected to need six weeks to recover after undergoing surgery Monday to repair a broken hand. He also sprained a wrist and dislocated an elbow on the play.

The Bucks weren't at their best without their main post presence Tuesday, shooting 36.4 percent. However, they forced 16 turnovers and held the Bulls to 43.2 percent shooting.

"We had to get used to not having him to dump it in to," Salmons said. "We still have to grow. We still have to learn. (Tuesday) was a good start."

With a playoff spot secured, Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles has five games left to find a lineup and rotation that works without Bogut.

"You'd like a little more time to kind of tinker with things, and we don't have that," Skiles said. "It's just the nature of what it is. Obviously, each guy's got to do a little bit more."

Salmons has certainly done his part, averaging 20.2 points in 25 games since the Bucks acquired him in a trade with Chicago. He's topped 30 points in two of his last seven games against New Jersey.

Owners of the NBA's worst record, the Nets (11-66) averaged 79.3 points while losing their previous three meeting with the Bucks this season.

Despite a 109-99 loss at Washington on Sunday, New Jersey has won four of seven overall to guarantee it won't finish with the worst record in NBA history.

Against the Wizards, Brook Lopez and Devin Harris each had 22 points for the Nets, who are 4-34 on the road this season.

A Milwaukee native, Harris had 27 points and nine assists in a 97-77 home loss to the Bucks on Feb. 10. However, he's averaging 9.2 points on 33.3 percent shooting in six career games in his hometown.

Chris Douglas-Roberts scored a career-high 31 points, but the Nets shot 38.5 points in a 99-85 loss at Milwaukee on Nov. 18.