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Bucks host Timberwolves in Brew City

Feb 22, 2011 - 3:59 PM (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks hope to put a disappointing first half behind them when they return from the All-Star break to host the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves at Bradley Center.

The Bucks dropped eight of 10 heading into the break but are still just 3 1/2 games behind Indiana for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

In their last encounter John Salmons netted a season-high 33 points and Andrew Bogut grabbed 20 rebounds Wednesday but that wasn't enough as the Bucks fell to Denver, 94-87.

"We needed it," Bucks head coach Scott Skiles said of Salmons' scoring output. "We couldn't find anybody else to score the ball for us. So John stepped up and scored. He probably wore down a little bit at the end of the game, we were going to him so much. But we didn't feel like we had the choice."

The Wolves, meanwhile, come out of the break with the West's worst record at 13-43. The latest setback came last Wednesday when Blake Griffin recorded 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists, as the Los Angeles Clippers took down Minnesota, 98-90, at Target Center.

That game centered around Griffin and Minnesota's Kevin Love -- the NBA's top two double-double generators. Love, who leads the NBA in rebounding, tallied 18 points and 18 boards to secure his franchise-record 42nd consecutive double-double, and 51st of the season. Griffin has 46.

Wayne Ellington made five three-pointers en route to 18 points off the bench for the Timberwolves, who have dropped four straight and 13 of their last 16 overall.

"We've just got to get away from the game," said Minnesota guard Luke Ridnour. "Everyone just needs to refocus, look themselves in the mirror and see what we can do to help this team win some games."

Forward Michael Beasley missed his fifth straight game against Denver with a sprained left ankle and remains questionable for tonight. Meanwhile, second- year point guard Jonny Flynn has been shut down for the time being as he continues to recover from offseason hip surgery.

The Wolves, who have lost five of their last six trips to Bradley Center, are reportedly set to make some changes and are involved in the blockbuster deal that is sending Denver's Carmelo Anthony to New York. To make the complex deal work the Knicks will also trade talented forward Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring contract to Minnesota, with swingman Corey Brewer heading back to Manhattan.