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Bucks look to remain hot vs. Bulls

Feb 18, 2009 - 11:29 AM Chicago (23-30) at Milwaukee (27-29) 8:00 p.m. EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- They've been mentioned in a litany of trade rumors for most of the last week, but the Chicago Bulls have so far stood pat. Now, with the trade deadline just a day away, they have to re-focus on basketball as they kick off the second half.

While names as glamorous as Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh have been bandied about as trade possibilities for Chicago, the group that will take the floor Wednesday night on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks is the same one that it's been all season.

The Bulls, 2 1/2 games back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, will get a chance to gain some ground on one of their prime competitors. The Bucks are riding a three-game winning streak, despite being without the services of three starters - Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut and Luke Ridnour.

Milwaukee opened up its second half with a big road victory on Tuesday night, withstanding a late run by Detroit to survive, 92-86.

The Bucks took control early but finally began to wilt in the fourth quarter when the Pistons stormed back. Antonio McDyess scored seven points in an 11-0 run midway through the period, capping the run with a three-point play that cut the deficit to 80-79.

But Richard Jefferson answered with a three-point play of his own, plowing to the basket and finishing strong at the hoop while drawing contact from Detroit forward Jason Maxiell.

The Bulls closed the first half with a tough loss to the Miami Heat, as they turned the ball over on an inbounds pass with just seconds to go and watched helplessly as Shawn Marion cut to the basket for the game-winning layup.

They will certainly see a familiar look across from them on Wednesday, as their former head coach will be leading his new team against them for the second time. Scott Skiles spent four-plus seasons guiding the Bulls before being fired last season.