The last time the Milwaukee Bucks strode into Philips Arena, they were 48 minutes away from pulling off an upset of epic proportions. The Atlanta Hawks dug themselves a hole in their best-of-seven first round playoff series against the Bucks and had evened the series at 3-3. Game Seven loomed.
While the Hawks took the decisive game by a 21 point margin, Atlanta learned that Milwaukee wouldn't be a pushover. The Bucks hope to bring that same tenacity to the Bulb on Wednesday (7:00 PM, SportsSouth, 97.9 FM).
Atlanta (6-2), which started the season 6-0, is coming off a pair of losses to the Phoenix Suns and the division rival Orlando Magic. However, they look to get back on track against a struggling Bucks (3-5) team that has done anything other than win on Atlanta's home court.
Granted, the Bucks won one of the four games at Philips in their seven game dance, but the Hawks have otherwise preyed on Milwaukee and bring a six-game home winning streak into Wednesday's matchup. Joe Johnson has been particularly tough against the Bucks, averaging 26.8 points per game over the club's last five matchups.
Milwaukee, which has struggled offensively this season, is riding a modest one-game winning streak after surpassing the 100 point mark for the second time this season in a 107-80 rout of the New York Knicks. Brandon Jennings had 19 points for the Bucks, who dominated the first half of the game.
Milwaukee may be without Carlos Delfino (neck) for the second straight game. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute started for the Bucks on Monday against New York.