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Raptors-Bucks Preview

Dec 25, 2015 - 5:49 PM It's not clear who the Toronto Raptors will have available to start a two-game trip, but they know they can count on DeMar DeRozan being there.

DeRozan is one of the hottest players in the NBA and will try to help the Raptors improve to 3-0 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

Toronto (18-12) has a number of missing players, and it's possible any of them may return for this contest.

Two were in the Raptors' starting lineup for their opener. Jonas Valanciunas has missed the last 16 games with a broken bone in his hand but returned to practice this week. DeMarre Carroll has missed the last nine games with a bruised right knee.

Forward James Johnson injured his ankle in warmups and did not dress for Tuesday's 103-99 home win over Dallas. The Raptors lost Patrick Patterson to flu-like symptoms during that contest, leaving them with just nine players available.

"Those things happen, that's why you've got to be prepared," coach Dwane Casey said. "That's why you have a 13-, 14-, 15-man roster ready to play."

It also helps to have DeRozan, who is averaging 22.7 points to rank only behind Cleveland's LeBron James and Indiana's Paul George among Eastern Conference players. That average is up to 27.1 points in his last eight games after he went for 28 against the Mavericks.

DeRozan is a big reason why the Raptors are in position to win a third straight Atlantic Division title, though he believes they need to get healthy to truly assess their level.

"You still gotta wait till we've got our full team," DeRozan said. "Even when we had our full team, we were going through the process of having an identity and then guys went down. Once we get everybody back, a couple games in, then we'll be able to tell."

DeRozan has 42 points in two wins over the Bucks. The Raptors led by an average of 16.0 points at halftime in those meetings, and have taken eight of the last nine with three straight road wins.

Milwaukee (12-18) seeks its first three-game win streak after cruising past Philadelphia 113-100 on Wednesday in assistant Joe Prunty's first game as interim coach. He is in charge with Jason Kidd expected to miss four to six weeks while recovering from hip surgery.

''We all love Joe,'' said forward John Henson, who had a season-best six blocks. ''He comes to work every day with a smile on his face, so this is big for him to get this win under his belt. We want to play hard for him, make him look good.''

Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from missing a game with knee soreness and made 11 of 13 shots for 22 points. Michael Carter-Williams had 18 and nine assists.

Carter-Williams is averaging 19.2 points on 54.8 percent shooting in his last six games and has started the last four. He has totaled 14 points on 23.5 percent shooting against Toronto this season.

The Bucks own a minus-4.5 rebound margin for one of the NBA's worst marks. They will have a challenge against Bismack Biyombo, who is averaging 15.8 boards in his last five games with a career-best 20 on Tuesday.