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Bucks go for fifth straight win against Mavericks

Nov 24, 2007 - 2:34 PM Dallas (9-3) at Milwaukee (6-4) 9:00 pm EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Bucks have not been disappointed by Yi Jianlian this season.

Yi and the Bucks go for their fifth straight win on Saturday when they host the Dallas Mavericks.

Yi, the sixth overall pick in June's draft, is averaging 9.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks this season. The 20-year-old forward scored 12 points and pulled down six rebounds as the Bucks extended their winning streak with a 110-103 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

However, Yi's true value maybe found in Charlie Villanueva, who had 14 points and nine rebounds against the Lakers.

The 23-year-old forward has averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 rebounds a game during the win streak and has been able to find open shots with Yi on the floor, shooting 53.3 percent in the four games.

The Mavericks had a five-game winning streak snapped with Friday's 111-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and 11 rebounds in the setback.

Nowitzki, the reigning NBA MVP, is averaging 23.8 points in 16 career games against the Bucks.

Dallas has lost 12 of its 15 games in Milwaukee.