Blazers go for fourth straight win

The Blazers are two games behind the Denver Nuggets for the last spot in the Western Conference playoff race. The fifth-place Bucks are one game behind the New Orleans Hornets for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the two squads. On December 16, the Bucks beat the Blazers, 106-99, at the Rose Garden.

The Blazers come into tonight’s contest on a three-game winning streak. Derek Anderson scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead Portland over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 92-83, on Sunday at the Target Center. Zach Randolph finished with 20 points and 11 boards in the win for the Trail Blazers.

Anderson has averaged 15 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists in his last five games.

Randolph has scored in double digits in 13 straight games. He has averaged 18.9 points and 10.7 rebounds in that span.

Portland is 12-21 on the road this season

On Sunday, the Bucks were defeated by the New York Knicks, 103-100, at the Bradley Center. Brian Skinner paced the Bucks with 21 points and 13 rebounds, as Milwaukee lost for the fifth time in the last six contests.

All-Star Michael Redd scored 19 points and Keith Van Horn added 18. Damon Jones recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 assists. Joe Smith was Milwaukee’s other double-figure scorer with 15 points.

Skinner has averaged 12 points and 7.8 rebounds in his last five games.

Milwaukee is 24-10 at home this season

The Bucks have won three straight after losing the last six contests with the Blazers, who have won four of its last six at Milwaukee.