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Rockets visit injury-plagued Bucks

Feb 9, 2009 - 2:16 PM Houston (31-20) at Milwaukee (24-29) 8:00 p.m. EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Bucks showed plenty of fight before falling in overtime in the first contest without three of their starters.

But if the Bucks hope to stay in contention for an Eastern Conference playoff berth, they can start by snapping an eight-game losing streak to the Houston Rockets on Monday.

With Michael Redd out with a season-ending knee injury and Andrew Bogut sidelined for eight weeks with a back problem, Milwaukee was dealt another injury last week when Luke Ridnour suffered a fractured thumb that will sideline him for at least four weeks.

The Bucks sit one-half game behind the New Jersey Nets for eighth place in the East. While there is still plenty of basketball still to be played, Milwaukee will rely on performances from Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva like it received Saturday.

Sessions scored 20 of his career-high 44 in the fourth quarter and overtime and dished out 12 assists while Villanueva poured in 33, but the Bucks fell 126-121 to the Detroit Pistons.

Houston has been dealing with injuries throughout this season but appear healthy for the time being. Yao Ming had 30 points, Rafer Alston added 22 and Ron Artest contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes off the bench.

Tracy McGrady, who has missed 17 games with a variety of injuries, struggled to the tune of 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting.