Bucks go for fourth straight win

12.31.2004

Houston, TX (Basketball News) - The Milwaukee Bucks attempt to win their fourth straight game for the first time this season, as they visit the Houston Rockets tonight at the Toyota Center.

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On December 28th, the Bucks crushed the Rockets, 115-87, at the Bradley Center Overall, the Rockets won three of the last five meetings in this series. Milwaukee has lost four straight and five of its last six at Houston.

Milwaukee plays the second of a four-game road trip tonight. On Wednesday, All-Star Michael Redd scored 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting to lead the Bucks past the Orlando Magic, 111-105, at TD Waterhouse Centre. Desmond Mason netted 21 points and Maurice Williams added 16 for Milwaukee, which has won three in a row. Dan Gadzuric contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds, both season-highs, for the Bucks.

Zaza Pachulia had nine points, 11 rebounds and six assists in Wednesday’s win for the Bucks. Milwaukee’s Joe Smith missed the Orlando game with a left groin strain. Smith is questionable for tonight’s contest.

Mason has scored in double-digits in 14 straight games. He is averaging 17.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in his last 10 contests.

The Bucks are 2-9 on the road this season. Milwaukee is also scheduled to visit the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers on the current road swing.

Tracy McGrady poured in 34 points with seven rebounds and five assists, and Houston snapped its five-game road losing streak with a 98-87 victory over Cleveland on Wednesday at Gund Arena. Yao Ming added 20 points and seven boards for the Rockets.

David Wesley made his first appearance for the Rockets and scored his first basket for the team midway through the fourth, a 20-footer that put Houston on top, 82-73. After a scoreless debut with the Rockets, guard Jon Barry scored seven points and had four assists in 30 minutes.

One night after recording his first double-digit rebounding game this season (10 vs. Milwaukee), guard Bob Sura had a season-high 12 assists. The effort represents his first double-digit assists total this season and was one shy of matching a career high.

McGrady has scored 20 or more points in eight straight games and is averaging 26.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in that span.

The Rockets are 9-7 as the host this season.

HOU MIL

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