GT: Bucks Vs Wizards 8pm EST

[closg00]

Bogut is out but Wizard killer Gooden is back tonight. Ilyasova has been tearin it up.

Despite a rough first half, the Milwaukee Bucks are still in the playoff hunt.

It would take a remarkable second-half run for the lowly Washington Wizards to be in that same position.

The Bucks and Wizards return from the All-Star break on Tuesday night when Milwaukee tries to avoid its first seven-game losing streak at the Bradley Center in 12 years.

Losers of nine of 12 heading into the break, including a 110-91 defeat at Chicago on Wednesday in their last game, the Bucks (13-20) trail eighth-place Boston by just 2 1/2 games in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Still, the team knows it must improve over the final 33 games to make a second postseason appearance in six seasons.

"I'm not going to lie," Brandon Jennings, the team leader with 18.4 points per game and 5.2 assists, said following Wednesday's loss. "I'm frustrated. I want to win. We all want to win."

If that's going to happen, the Bucks need Jennings to avoid more shooting slumps. He's back on track with 42 points in the last two contests, but he averaged 10.6 on 30.2 percent shooting during a five-game stretch from Feb. 4-13.

Jennings, though, hit 8 of 15 shots and scored a team-high 22 points in a 102-81 home win over Washington on Dec. 30.

The Bucks have won three straight and six of seven at home against the Wizards.

Milwaukee, though, is winless at the Bradley Center since opening 7-2 at home. The team hasn't lost seven straight to visiting opponents since Feb. 5-25, 2000.

The Wizards (7-26) will have to improve on the defensive end or they could leave Milwaukee with a fourth consecutive road loss.

Washington has given up 108.8 points per game while losing four straight overall.

"Until our team is committed to playing winning basketball - until they're committed to doing that - we're going to be like this team was tonight," coach Randy Wittman said following Wednesday's 115-107 loss to Sacramento.

As frustrating as its been for Wittman to watch his squad stumble into 14th place in the East, not all the news is bad for the Wizards.

Reserve guard Jordan Crawford is averaging a team-best 21.4 points on 54.1 percent shooting in the last five games, while John Wall has totaled 20.4 points, 8.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game during that stretch.

"As long as we keep doing what we're supposed to and getting better, and working and watching film, we can be something special," Wall said Friday after scoring 17 points with eight assists and six boards in the Rising Stars Challenge as part of All-Star weekend in Orlando. "But we've still got a lot to prove in this league."

Wall hasn't shown much in four career games against Milwaukee, averaging 10.3 points and missing 71.7 percent of his 46 field-goal attempts. He was 1 for 9 from the field Dec. 30, finishing with six points and seven assists.

Crawford scored a team-high 24 points in that contest.

The Bucks could have Drew Gooden back in the lineup after he missed the last four games with a sprained right wrist.

Ersan Ilyasova is averaging 18.3 points and 13.5 boards in Gooden's absence. Ilyasova had 16 points and seven rebounds on Dec. 30.

Milwaukee has won nine of 12 in this series.

[W. Unseld]

I don't suppose we could post any pictures of the Bucks dancers/cheerleaders, you know for good luck and such.

[trwi7]

I don't suppose we could post any pictures of the Bucks dancers/cheerleaders, you know for good luck and such.

Oh, no, you don't want to look at that.

[no D in Hibachi]

The all-star break has been great. It's like I've totally forgotten how bad this team sucks and how frustrating they can be. Is there any way it can be extended another week or two? I'd rather not watch any more basketball until next season, but I'm sure I'll get sucked in. I just hope Andray Blatche's 'calf injury' never improves...

[closg00]

Crap!! The game is not on FIOS.

[keynote]

Crap!! The game is not on FIOS.

There's a free league pass preview. Try that (either on FiOS, or online).

[tontoz]

Crap!! The game is not on FIOS.

I have FIOS and it is on CSN MA +, channel 334 where i am.

[GhostsOfGil]

Man even the most die hard wizards fans (realgm wiz board) are loosing interest.... 6 posts with 3 min till tip off.

[theboomking]

tank................tank..........tank.....TANK!

[7-Day Dray]

tank................tank..........tank.....TANK!

[hands11]

Doesn't look like much has change.

Dribbling Nick chucking up crap and
Singleton crap D

Hero ball

[dlts20]

I like how we decided to start the game with a full court press against the only team in the league who starts 2PG's? Witt is so bright. Ofcourse they easily break it and get an uncontested dunk

[hands11]

Start Crawford already. Nick is useless most nights. The time off did absolutely nothing for him.

[ST21]

i just saw mcgee miss 3 easy rebounds on one posession and then finally tip it right to a bucks player when he could have easily secured the rebound.

[80sballboy]

Tank is in effect early

[ST21]

jennings always seems to own wall

[Jimmy Recard]

If Nick can't make open shots out there, he's basically useless.

[hands11]

Tank is in effect early

No Tank

This is pure suck. Tank is something you do on purpose.

Nick is 2-8 in 9 minutes. What is Wittman waiting for ?

[dangermouse]

i wouldnt mind Ilyasova in a Wiz uni.

good shooter/good rebounder/good basketball player. he is everything dray isnt.

[80sballboy]

Their effort on the boards and on defense is definitely Tanky.