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Cavs and Bucks square off in Central Division clash

Mar 9, 2011 - 4:05 PM (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks will welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to Brew City tonight for a Central Division battle at the Bradley Center.

Milwaukee will also host Philadelphia on the brief residency and is 15-16 in the Badger State this season. The Bucks won for the second time in six tries with Tuesday's 95-76 victory at Washington, as Brandon Jennings led the charge with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists.

John Salmons had 22 points and Andrew Bogut, who missed the last three games with a rib injury, compiled 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Bucks, who are 2 1/2 games off the eighth seed in the East.

"I think everybody came out tonight and contributed to the win," Jennings said. "Our bench played great and Bogut did well for his first game back."

Carlos Delfino finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in a winning cause.

The Cavaliers have dropped two straight and four of five games, including Tuesday's 95-85 setback at home to the Golden State Warriors.

Baron Davis scored 19 points off the bench and Ryan Hollins posted 14 in a reserve role for Cleveland, which shot 36.5 percent and committed 17 turnovers. Samardo Samuels and J.J. Hickson had 11 and 10 points, respectively, in a losing effort.

"I don't think we're playing with a purpose," Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott. "We're just out there playing basketball. We're not playing with energy."

Hickson is probable for Wednesday's game with a dislocated left pinky finger. Davis, however, will be unavailable. The point guard's grandmother Lela "Madea" Nicholson passed away Monday in Los Angeles and Davis did not accompany the team to Milwaukee in order to be with his family. Davis, who was acquired from the Clippers in a trade deadline deal, selected No. 85 for his Cavaliers jersey number as a tribute to Madea, whose house was located on 85th Street.

Cleveland is only 4-27 away from the Q this season.

The 2010-11 season series between the Cavs and Bucks is tied at a game apiece, with both games being held in the Forest City. Cleveland has won eight of the last 10 meetings between the two Central foes.