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Struggling Bucks set to host Nets

Dec 29, 2007 - 3:17 PM New Jersey (13-16) at Milwaukee (11-17) 8:30 pm EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - With 13 losses in their past 17 games, the Milwaukee Bucks are falling out of contention in the wide-open Eastern Conference.

They will look end that trend when they host the the New Jersey Nets on Saturday.

The Bucks dropped a 103-99 decision to the lowly Chicago Bulls on Friday, marking the 10th time in the last 17 games that they have allowed more than 100 points in a contest.

A trendy pick to contend in the East this season, Milwaukee has failed to develop an identity on defense and is allowing opponents to shoot 46.5 percent per game - the fourth worst mark in the NBA.

The Nets have been a disappointment thus far, already 12 games behind the Boston Celtics (24-3) in the Atlantic Division. Superstar point guard Jason Kidd is averaging a career-worst 11 points per game amid rumors that he is on the trading block.

New Jersey earned a win on Friday, 109-106 over Washington, with Kidd scoring 20 points. It was the first time this season that Kidd had reached 20 points in a game and led the Nets in scoring.

A win might be hard to come by Saturday for New Jersey, which has dropped the second game of back-to-back sets the last four times.