Bucks host Celtics

The Celtics and Bucks have already met twice this season, as Boston won 106-96 on November 28 at the FleetCenter, while Milwaukee took home a 100-94 victory one day later at the Bradley Center.

Milwaukee, which has won eight in a row at home, dropped a 94-88 decision to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Michael Redd scored 19 points for the Bucks, who had their five-game winning streak snapped. Desmond Mason contributed 17 points in the loss, while Joe Smith finished with 12 points.

The Bucks are 13-4 as the host this season.

Boston is expected to get some needed frontcourt help back tonight, as forward/center Vin Baker, who is a former Buck, is eligible to return after serving a three-game team suspension. The Celtics were a perfect 3-0 without Baker.

The 32-year-old Baker had been suspended and fined an undisclosed amount of money for failing to comply with his treatment program. The Celtics were notified that Baker was non-compliant with his doctor, who had been jointly selected by Baker and the team to oversee his aftercare. The Hartford product left the team last season to address personal issues, which included alcohol- related problems, according to a report in the Boston Globe.

On Sunday, Pierce scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Celtics to a 97-93 victory over the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. Jiri Welsch and Walter McCarty each had 21 points for the Celtics, who have won three straight and four of their last five games.

Pierce continues to carry the Celtics. He is averaging 27.2 points and 39.8 minutes played in the last five games.

The Celtics have scored over 100 points in two of their last three games and are 11-1 this season when they reach that plateau.

Boston, which has won three straight on the road, is 10-8 as the visitor this season.

The Bucks have won two of the last three contests with the Celtics, who have lost eight of their last nine at Milwaukee.