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Bucks battle Pelicans at Bradley Center

Mar 9, 2015 - 2:06 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a four-game slide last time out and will try to keep the momentum going Monday night when they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to the Bradley Center.

The Bucks went 0-4 on a four-game road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.

Upon returning to Brew City, the Bucks picked up a 91-85 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

Khris Middleton scored a career-high 30 points to lead Milwaukee, which has won two straight at home. Jerryd Bayless had 13 points and Michael Carter- Williams chipped in 12 points and nine assists for the Bucks.

"It was a huge win for us," said Middleton. "It's a step in the right direction. ... We needed this one here tonight. The crowd definitely helped us."

Middleton gave the Bucks the lead for good on a 3-pointer that snapped a tie with 40.8 seconds left. It was part of a 9-2 game-ending run by Milwaukee. He had 14 of his 30 points in the first quarter as the Bucks led by as much as 12, which was also their lead at halftime.

Milwaukee shot 50 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

The Bucks complete their homestand on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.

The Pelicans are 7-2 in their last nine and trail the Oklahoma City Thunder by one game for the eighth and final playoff berth in the loaded Western Conference.

On Saturday, the Pels topped the Memphis Grizzlies, 95-89.

Trailing by 12 at halftime, the Pelicans outscored Memphis 33-17 in the third period and held on to win.

Tyreke Evans led all scorers with 26 points, and Anthony Davis added 23 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

New Orleans limited Memphis' frontcourt duo of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph to 15 points and nine rebounds as the Grizzlies lost their two-game winning streak.

"We defended well," said Davis. "We tried to create problems for Zach and Marc."

The Grizzlies took the lead in the fourth quarter on Beno Udrih's jumper that capped a 7-0 run, but it was brief. At the other end, Alexis Ajinca answered with a bucket, and the Pelicans would not lose that lead again.

The Pelicans visit the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday to end this short trek.

New Orleans has won three straight and six of the last seven meetings versus the Bucks. The Pelicans have taken three of their previous four stops in Milwaukee.

The two teams will meet in eight days in the Big Easy.