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Bucks look to continue quiet surge vs. Rockets

Dec 31, 2008 - 11:13 AM Milwaukee (15-17) at Houston (19-12) 7:00 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Buried beneath the noise surrounding the Eastern Conference's elite is the slow development of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee will try to pull off its second straight upset against a Western Conference power on Wednesday night as they visit the Houston Rockets.

Fresh off a surprising road victory over the formidable San Antonio Spurs, the Bucks have clawed to within two games of .500 as the calendar year comes to a close.

Behind head coach Scott Skiles and his defensive mentality, the Bucks have held seven straight opponents under 100 points. They have also been buoyed by the return of All-Star guard Michael Redd, who missed most of November with a sprained right ankle.

Since coming back to the lineup, he has three 27-point performances, two 25-point showings and three more games with 20 or more points. When he's hot, the Bucks are formidable. When he's not, it's a different story.

He has been limited to single-digit scoring three times since returning - and each time, Milwaukee has come up on the short end.

Andrew Bogut has also provided a solid presence inside, going for 20 points and 14 boards while facing off against Tim Duncan on Tuesday, paving the way for a 100-98 Milwaukee triumph.

The Rockets - thought by some to be a major threat to do some damage out West this season - have yet to show the kind of consistency or explosiveness to compete with the conference's major players just yet.

While the defense has been stingy as always, All-Star Tracy McGrady has been hobbled by knee trouble - and is likely to be bothered by it for the duration of the season.

Houston is coming off an embarrassing home loss to the woeful Washington Wizards on Monday, as it shot just 40 percent and McGrady was limited to 6-of-17 shooting.